1. The words of Sovereign Lemu’ĕl, a message which his mother taught him:
2. What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3. Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to wiping away sovereigns.
4. Not for sovereigns, O Lemu’ĕl, Not for sovereigns to drink wine, Nor for princes to desire strong drink;