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The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
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No, my son! No, son of my womb!
No, son of my vows!
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Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to desire 1 strong drink;
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or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,
and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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Give strong drink to one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
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let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
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Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute. 2
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Speak out, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.