Proverbs 31:6–7

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

tn Heb “to the bitter of soul.” The phrase לְמָרֵי נָפֶשׁ (lémare 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.

tn The subjects and suffixes are singular (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). Most other English versions render this as plural for stylistic reasons, in light of the preceding context.

tn The king was not to “drink and forget”; the suffering are to “drink and forget.”