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.