Proverbs 31:6 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 31:6

4 ^aIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

5 ^aLest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all¹ the afflicted.

6 ^aGive strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.

8 ^aOpen your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are¹ appointed to die.

9 Open your mouth, ^ajudge righteously,
And ^bplead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 ^aWho¹ can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 31:6

American Standard Version
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

Amplified® Bible
Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.

Contemporary English Version
Beer and wine are only for the dying or for those who have lost all hope.

Darby English Version
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:

Good News Bible
Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.

King James Version
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

New American Standard Bible
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

New International Version
Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish;

New King James Version
Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Give strong drink to him who perishes, And wine to him whose life has become bitter.

Revised Standard Version
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

Young's Literal Translation
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,

New English Translation
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,¹ and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;²