Proverbs 24:11

If thou forbear. There is no Hebrew word for “if” at the beginning of this verse. The second clause contains such a word, which should perhaps be read as an exclamation. These observations permit the translation, “Deliver them that are drawn away to death and those who are tottering to slaughter, oh, hold them back!” The LXX has, instead of the exclamation, a negative, “Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [thy help].” Verse 12 suggests that there is a duty upon the servant of God to do all he can to deliver those who are being haled away to execution, the implication being that they have been unjustly condemned. Our attitude toward the licensing of the traffic in liquor and other soul-destroying forms of commerce should be governed by this wise counsel (see MH 345, 346). We should do all in our power to hold back the victims from their self-destroying habit and use every lawful means to prevent the traders in drink from profiting by the destruction of others.