Chapter 31

Proverbs

1 note in this chapter

6 Alcohol: Proverbs 31:6-7

1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?What are you doing, son of my vows?3Do not give your strength to women,your ways to those who destroy kings.4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kings to drink wine,or for rulers to take strong drink,5lest they drink and forget what has been decreedand pervert the rights of all the afflicted.6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,and wine to those in bitter distress;✦7let them drink and forget their povertyand remember their misery no more.

6–7Alcohol: Proverbs 31:6-7

Critical Commentary

Proverbs 31:6-7 advises giving strong drink to the one who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress, so that they may drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. In the New Testament, 1 Timothy 5:23 tells Timothy to stop drinking only water and to take a little wine for his stomach and his frequent illnesses.

The note sets these beside the many warnings against drunkenness, such as Proverbs 20:1, and asks how the Bible’s advice about wine fits together.

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
Proverbs 31:6

Source: see Credits and references (no. 4, p. 6).

Permalink to this note

8Open your mouth for the mute,for the rights of all who are destitute.9Open your mouth, judge righteously,defend the rights of the poor and needy.10An excellent wife who can find?She is far more precious than jewels.11The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life.13She seeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands.14She is like the ships of the merchant;she brings her food from afar.15She rises while it is yet nightand provides food for her householdand portions for her maidens.16She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17She dresses herself with strengthand makes her arms strong.18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.20She opens her hand to the poorand reaches out her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of snow for her household,for all her household are clothed in scarlet.22She makes bed coverings for herself;her clothing is fine linen and purple.23Her husband is known in the gateswhen he sits among the elders of the land.24She makes linen garments and sells them;she delivers sashes to the merchant.25Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come.26She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:29“Many women have done excellently,but you surpass them all.”30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands,and let her works praise her in the gates.

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