Proverbs 31:4-5
Proverbs 31:4-7 The Message (MSG)
“Leaders can’t afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, Lest, hung over, they don’t know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
Proverbs 31:4-5 King James Version (KJV)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Proverbs 31:4-5 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Proverbs 31:4-5 New Century Version (NCV)
“Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel, and rulers should not desire beer. If they drink, they might forget the law and keep the needy from getting their rights.
Proverbs 31:4-5 American Standard Version (ASV)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink? Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
Proverbs 31:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Proverbs 31:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
Proverbs 31:4-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, [Eccl 10:17; Hos 4:11] Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees, And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.
Proverbs 31:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
Proverbs 31:4-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)
For you are a king, Lemuel, and it’s never fitting for a king to be drunk on wine or for rulers to crave alcohol. For when they drink they forget justice and ignore the rights of those in need, those who depend on them for leadership.