1. The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2. No, my son!No, son of my womb!No, son of my solemn promises!
3. Don’t give your strength to women,your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4. It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,it isn’t for kings to drink wine,for rulers to crave strong drink.
5. Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,and violate the rights of the needy.
6. Give strong drink to those who are perishingand wine to those whose hearts are bitter.