---
title: "Proverbs 31:8-9"
description: "Rulers are commanded to 'open your mouth for the mute' and defend the rights of the afflicted. No class is more literally voiceless than the unborn. To 'judge righteously' and 'defend their rights' is to establish equal legal protection — not merely to feel compassion."
type: "scripture"
book: "Proverbs"
chapter: 31
verses: "8-9"
translation: "NASB"
refutes: "Both positions"
affirms_abolition: true
themes:
  - "voice for the voiceless"
  - "rights of the afflicted"
  - "judge righteously"
  - "duty of rulers"
source_url: "https://www.abhortion.org/scripture/proverbs-31-8-9.html"
---

# Proverbs 31:8-9

Book of Proverbs · Chapter 31

## The text

> Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
> — Proverbs 31:8-9, NASB

**The claim this verse counters:** "Advocacy for the unborn is optional or secondary."

## The argument

Rulers are commanded to 'open your mouth for the mute' and defend the rights of the afflicted. No class is more literally voiceless than the unborn. To 'judge righteously' and 'defend their rights' is to establish equal legal protection — not merely to feel compassion.

## Context & notes

Supplement; a cornerstone advocacy text. Notably addressed to a king (Lemuel), tying the duty to those who make and enforce law.

## Themes

- voice for the voiceless
- rights of the afflicted
- judge righteously
- duty of rulers

## Discussion questions

1. Who is more 'mute' than the child in the womb? What does 'open your mouth' require of us?
2. The charge is given to a king. How does that shape a lawmaker's duty toward the unborn?

## Related

**Related scriptures:**

- [Proverbs 24:11-12](proverbs-24-11-12.md)
- [Amos 5:14-15](amos-5-14-15.md)
- [Micah 6:8](micah-6-8.md)

**Related arguments:**

- [Tolerating child sacrifice invites national judgment — doing justice forestalls it](../arguments/arg-national-judgment.md)
- [God commands 'justice, and only justice' — not partial or deferred justice](../arguments/arg-justice-only.md)

## Attribution

Verse text is quoted from the NASB. Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org