4  ^jIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings ^kto drink wine,

or for rulers to take ^lstrong drink,

5  lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and ^mpervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6  Give strong drink to the one who ⁿis perishing,

and wine to ^othose in bitter distress;¹

7  ^plet them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

9  Open your mouth, ^rjudge righteously,

^sdefend the rights of ^tthe poor and needy.