1. The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2. Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3. Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4. It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5. lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.