Proverbs 31:6

NETBible

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

NIV ©

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

NASB ©

Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

NLT ©

Liquor is for the dying, and wine for those in deep depression.

MSG ©

Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache

BBE ©

Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

NRSV ©

Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

NKJV ©

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

KJV
Give
<05414> (8798)
strong drink
<07941>
unto him that is ready to perish
<06> (8802)_,
and wine
<03196>
unto those that be of heavy
<04751>
hearts
<05315>_.
{of...: Heb. bitter of soul}
NASB ©
Give
<5414>
strong
<7941>
drink
<7941>
to him who is perishing
<6>
, And wine
<3196>
to him whose life
<5315>
is bitter
<4751>
.
LXXM
didote
<1325> 
V-PAI-2P
meyhn
<3178> 
N-ASF
toiv
<3588> 
T-DPM
en
<1722> 
PREP
lupaiv
<3077> 
N-DPF
kai
<2532> 
CONJ
oinon
<3631> 
N-ASM
pinein
<4095> 
V-PAN
toiv
<3588> 
T-DPM
en
<1722> 
PREP
odunaiv
<3601> 
N-DPF
NET [draft] ITL
Give
<05414>
strong drink
<07941>
to the one who is perishing
<06>
, and wine
<03196>
to those who
<05315>
are bitterly distressed
<04751>
;
HEBREW
spn
<05315>
yrml
<04751>
Nyyw
<03196>
dbwal
<06>
rks
<07941>
wnt (31:6)
<05414>
NETBible

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

NET Notes

1 sn Wine and beer should be given to those distressed and dying in order to ease their suffering and help them forget.

2 tn Heb “to the bitter of soul.” The phrase לְמָרֵי נָפֶשׁ (lÿmare nafesh) has been translated “of heavy hearts” (KJV); “in anguish” (NIV); “in misery” (TEV); “in bitter distress” (NRSV); “sorely depressed” (NAB); “in deep depression (NLT); “have lost all hope” (CEV). The word “bitter” (מַר, mar) describes the physical and mental/spiritual suffering as a result of affliction, grief, or suffering – these people are in emotional pain. So the idea of “bitterly distressed” works as well as any other translation.