It is not for kings,O Lemuel,It is not for kingsto drinkwine,Or for rulersto desirestrongdrink,
His servantZimri,commanderof halfhis chariots,conspiredagainsthim. Now he [was] at Tirzahdrinkinghimself drunkin the houseof Arza,who[was] overthe householdat Tirzah.
When [Ben-hadad] heardthismessage,as he was drinkingwith the kingsin the temporaryshelters,he saidto his servants,"Station[yourselves]." So they stationed[themselves] againstthe city.
On the seventhday,when the heartof the kingwas merrywith wine,he commandedMehuman,Biztha,Harbona,Bigtha,Abagtha,Zetharand Carkas,the seveneunuchswho servedin the presenceof KingAhasuerus,
The courierswentout impelledby the king'scommandwhile the decreewas issuedat the citadelin Susa;and while the kingand Hamansatdownto drink,the cityof Susawas in confusion.
Wineis a mocker,strongdrinka brawler,And whoeveris intoxicatedby it is not wise.
And you will be like one who liesdownin the middleof the sea,Or like one who liesdownon the topof a mast.
Blessedare you, O land,whosekingis of nobilityand whose princeseatat the appropriate time--for strengthand not for drunkenness.
Woeto those who are heroesin drinkingwineAnd valiantmenin mixingstrongdrink,
"Furthermore,winebetraysthe haughtyman,So that he does not stayat home.He enlargeshis appetitelike Sheol,And he is like death,neversatisfied.He also gathersto himself allnationsAnd collectsto himself allpeoples.
