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;
5. Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the right of all the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those embittered in being.
7. Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.