3 Don’t waste your strength on womenor your time on those who ruin kings.
4 “Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel,and rulers should not desire beer.
5 If they drink, they might forget the lawand keep the needy from getting their rights.
6 Give beer to people who are dyingand wine to those who are sad.
7 Let them drink and forget their needand remember their misery no more.
8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
9 Speak up and judge fairly,and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”