Proverbs 31:2

1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
KJV
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
WEB
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
ASV
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
DARBY
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
BLB
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
ÅB
Hva skal jeg si til deg, min sønn, du mitt livs sønn, du mine løfters sønn?
OTB
Hvordan skal jeg tale til deg, min sønn? Hvordan skal jeg tale til deg, barn av mitt liv? Hvordan skal jeg tale til deg, barn av mine løfter?
B1930
Hvad skal jeg si til dig, min sønn, du mitt livs sønn, du mine løfters sønn?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 49:15

    Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 1:11

    And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 1:28

    Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

    Read in context