Proverbs 31:4-9

The Words of King Lemuel

⁴ _j It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings _k to drink wine,
or for rulers to take _l strong drink,
⁵ lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and _m pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
⁶ Give strong drink to the one who _n is perishing,
and wine to _o those in bitter distress; ₁
⁷ _p let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
⁸ _q Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute. ₂
⁹ Open your mouth, _r judge righteously,
_s defend the rights of _t the poor and needy.

1. Cross References
   Ecclesiastes 10:17
   Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
   1 Kings 16:9
   But his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. When he was at Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah.
   1 Kings 20:16
   And they went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him.
   
2. Cross References
   Hosea 4:11
   Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
   
3. Cross References
   Proverbs 20:1
   Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
   
4. Cross References
   Isaiah 5:22 - 23
   Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink.
   
5. Cross References
   Job 29:13
   The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
   
6. Cross References
   Job 3:20
   Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul.
   
7. Cross References
   Psalms 104:15
   And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.
   
8. Cross References
   Job 29:12
   Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
   Job 29:15 - 16
   I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
   Isaiah 1:17
   Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
   
9. Cross References
   Leviticus 19:15
   You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
   Deuteronomy 1:16
   And I charged your judges at that time, 'Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him.
   
10. Cross References
    Jeremiah 22:16
    He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord.
    Isaiah 1:17
    Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
    
11. Cross References
    Proverbs 31:20
    She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
    Psalms 40:17
    As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
    Psalms 86:1
    Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.