8 Speak up for those
who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs Club Commentary
Personally protect the rights of the indigent.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
NIV
Proverbs Club Commentary
For a fool, persuasive speech is inappropriate.
For a ruler, deceitful speech is atrocious.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
NIV
PCDC Commentary
Beer and wine can temporarily
relieve the anguish and misery of the poor.
Let them drink in peace.
Bottoms Up!
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
New International Version (NIV)
PCDC Commentary
Leaders should not drink alcohol
to insure that they enforce
the rights of the oppressed.
Vigor Related Immorality
Proverbs 31:2-3
2
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3
Do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
PCdc Commentary
Many a politician has resigned for vigor related immorality.
Countless marriages have been destroyed by it.
Spend your strength on something more virtuous than sexual immorality.
Spend your strength on the Kingdom of God.
