Wise sayings from King Lemuel

31 These are sayings/messages that God gave to King Lemuel’s mother, and which his mother taught him:

2 You are my son; I gave birth to you [RHQ];

you are the son that God gave me in answer to my prayers.

3 Do not exhaust your energy having sex [EUP] with women to whom you are not married,

with women who ruin kings by having sex with them.

4 Lemuel, kings should not be constantly drinking wine

or greatly desire to drink other strong/alcoholic drinks.

5 If they do that, they forget the laws that they have made,

and they do not do what is right for poor/afflicted people.

6 Give strong/alcoholic drinks to those who are dying

and to those who are ◄greatly distressed/suffering very much►.

7 If they drink, they will forget that they are poor,

and they will not think about their distress/troubles any more.

8 Speak [MTY] to defend people who are unable to defend themselves;

speak to encourage others to do what is right for those who are helpless.

9 Speak [MTY] ◄on their behalf/to help them► and try to cause judges to decide matters fairly/justly;

try to cause others to do for poor and needy people what should be done for them.