1. The words of Lemuel, the king—an oracle that his mother taught him:
2. What, my son? And what, my son in my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3. Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings.
4. It is not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine is not for the kings, nor is strong drink for rulers.
5. Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.
7. He will drink and forget his poverty, and his misery he will not remember any more.
8. Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the needy.
9. Open your mouth, judge righteousness, and defend the poor and needy.
10. A woman of excellence, who will find? For her worth is far more than precious jewels.