The Words of Lemuel

1The words of [a]King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:

2What, O my [b]son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?

3Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor [c]concubines],

Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,

And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.

6Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,

And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty

And no longer remember his trouble.

8Open your mouth for the mute,

For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;

9Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman