2  What are you doing, my son?¹ What are you doing, son of my womb?

What are you doing, son of my vows?

3  ^pDo not give your strength to ^qwomen,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink ^rwine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

5  lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6  Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;²

7  let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8  ^sOpen your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.³

9  Open your mouth, ^tjudge righteously,

^udefend the rights of the poor and needy.