Proverbs 31:3-11
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 31
3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink, 5Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the needy. 6Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more. 8Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy. 10An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 31
3Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. 5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. 10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.New Living Translation
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
English Standard Version
Chapter 31
3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. 10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.New International Version
Chapter 31
3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
New King James Version
