Proverbs 31 - The Forgotten Part

The first part of Proverbs 31 goes overlooked. Yes, I know it is the consummate chapter about the ultimate woman but there are very few who have been blessed to find women like this. I know I haven't so I tend to want to ignore this part of the chapter.

31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings (NKJV)
31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
31:3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. (NLT)
31:3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings (NIV)
Okay I hope that I am not the only one who interprets these translations differently. From what I have learned over the years, the KJV (NKJV) and the ASB (NASB) are work for word translations. NIV and NLT are supposedly thought for thought or meaning for meaning translations. The first 2 translations state not to give your strength to women nor your WAYS to that which destroys kings. The latter 2 seem to say not to give your strength to women, on those who ruin kinds. Bold italics added for clarity and emphasis. These have 2 different inferences. This is poignant to me when the last half of this chapter discusses the virtues of a Godly woman.

31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. (NKJV)
31:6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress (NLT)
31:6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish (NIV)

I think that the bottom line here is that the scripture is telling us not to give ourselves to chasing after women (skirts) or to ways (playboy lifestyle) that destroy you. There are good women, there are good uses for alcohol, but both can be easily abused

31:14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
Merchant ships bring to us the many necessities of life. Considering that we import about 75% of our goods (especially oil), our lives would become drastically different and much curtailed without them. Today we have phones, satellites, schedules, etc. that let us know when merchant ships are arriving. Use to be that lookouts would scan the horizon for the merchant ships coming. Not know when they would be there but earnestly seeking them. When spotted there would be a huge celebration and everyone would prepare for their arrival. Men look for a good woman in this way. Many of us spend a lifetime scanning the horizon looking for that woman of gold with anticipation and yearning. When she is found there is a great celebration.