1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:

2 What, my son?
And what, son of my womb?
And what, ^ason of my vows? ‡

3 ^aDo not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways ^bto that which destroys kings. ‡

4 ^aIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink; ‡

5 ^aLest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all¹ the afflicted. ‡

6 ^aGive strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart. ‡

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.

8 ^aOpen your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are¹ appointed to die. ‡

9 Open your mouth, ^ajudge righteously,
And ^bplead the cause of the poor and needy. ‡