A Mother’s Oracle
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
2 What, O my son?
And what, O ason of my womb?
And what, O son of my bvows?
3 aDo not give your excellence to women,
Or your ways to that which bblots out kings.
4 It is not for akings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to bdrink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
5 Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,
And apervert the justice of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is aperishing,
And wine to those bwhose soul is bitter.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty
And he will not remember his trouble any longer.
8 aOpen your mouth for the mute,
For the justice of all those passing away.
9 Open your mouth, ajudge righteously,
And render bjustice to the afflicted and needy.