1 Sayings of King Lemuel
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle[a] his mother taught him:
2 "O my son, O son of my womb, 2 O son of my vows,[b]
3 do not spend your strength on women, 3 your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel— 4 not for kings to drink wine, 4 not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, 5 and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give beer to those who are perishing, 6 wine to those who are in anguish;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty 7 and remember their misery no more.
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 8 for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; 9 defend the rights of the poor and needy."
9 10 10 Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [c] 10 A wife of noble character who can find? 10 She is worth far more than rubies.
