New Living Translation
Proverbs 31:8
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
Proverbs 31:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
- New International Version (NIV)Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Context of Proverbs 31:8
6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 10Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:8 word by word
פְּתַח־פִּ֥יךָ לְאִלֵּ֑ם אֶל־דִּ֝֗ין כָּל־בְּנֵ֥י חֲלֽוֹף׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:8
- Proverbs 24:7Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
- 1 Samuel 19:4The next morning Jonathan spoke with his father about David, saying many good things about him. “The king must not sin against his servant David,” Jonathan said. “He’s never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could.
- 1 Samuel 20:32“But why should he be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?”
- 1 Samuel 22:14“But sir,” Ahimelech replied, “is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household!
- Esther 4:13Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.
- Job 29:9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
- Psalms 82:3“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
- Jeremiah 26:16Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”
- Jeremiah 38:7But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate,
- John 7:51“Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.
- Psalms 79:11Listen to the moaning of the prisoners. Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Open thy mouth for the dumb - For such accused persons as have no counsellors, and cannot plead for themselves. Are appointed to destruction - חלוף בני beney chaloph, variously translated, children of passage - indigent travelers; children of desolation - those who have no possessions, or orphans. I believe it either signifies those who are strangers, and are travelling from place to place, or those who are ready to perish in consequence of want or…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8In contrast with the two besetting sins of Eastern monarchs stands their one great duty, to give help to those who had no other helper. Such as are appointed to destruction - literally, “children of bereavement,” with the sense, either, as in the text, of those “destined to be bereaved of life or goods,” or of “bereaved or fatherless children.”Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Instead of drinking wine (Proverbs 31:4–7), the king should defend those who cannot protect themselves.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-93-9. Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence. strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort. thy ways--or course of life. to that ... kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pr 5:9; 7:22, 27; Ho 4:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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