Proverbs 31:6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.