The Oracle of King Lemuel

• that his mother taught him:
• 2 What, my son? And what, my son in my womb? And what, son of my vows?
• 3 Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings.
• 4 It is not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine is not for the kings,
• nor is strong drink for rulers.
• 5 Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights[fn] of all the afflicted .[fn]
• 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress .[fn]
• 7 He will drink and forget his poverty, and his misery he will not remember any more.
• 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights[fn] of all the needy .[fn]
• 9 Open your mouth, judge righteousness, and defend the poor and needy.