Proverbs 21:17
New International Version
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

New Living Translation
Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

English Standard Version
Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Berean Standard Bible
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

King James Bible
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

New King James Version
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

New American Standard Bible
One who loves pleasure will become a poor person; One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

NASB 1995
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

NASB 1977
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

Amplified Bible
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

American Standard Version
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Contemporary English Version
Heavy drinkers and others who live only for pleasure will lose all they have.

English Revised Version
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor. Whoever loves wine and expensive food will not become rich.

Good News Translation
Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.

International Standard Version
Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.

Majority Standard Bible
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

NET Bible
The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.

New Heart English Bible
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

World English Bible
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, "" Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is loving mirth is a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

Smith's Literal Translation
A man of poverty loving joy: he loving wine and oil shall not be rich.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.

New American Bible
The lover of pleasure will suffer want; the lover of wine and perfume will never be rich.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who lacks wealth and yet loves entertainment, wine, and pleasure shall not be rich.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A man that is wanting and loves joy and wine and pleasure, will not be rich.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.…

Cross References
Luke 15:13-14
After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. / After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

1 Timothy 5:6
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

Ecclesiastes 10:19
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

Isaiah 5:11-12
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.

James 5:5
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.

Proverbs 23:20-21
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. / For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

Luke 16:19-25
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Romans 13:13-14
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. / Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 28:7
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Isaiah 22:13
But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”


Treasury of Scripture

He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

loveth

Proverbs 21:20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 5:10,11
Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; …

Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

pleasure

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Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














He who loves pleasure will become poor;
This phrase warns against the pursuit of pleasure as a primary goal in life. In biblical context, the love of pleasure is often associated with a lack of discipline and foresight, leading to poverty. The Bible frequently contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures with the enduring value of wisdom and righteousness (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Historically, the pursuit of pleasure without regard for responsibility has led to the downfall of individuals and nations, as seen in the stories of figures like Samson (Judges 16) and the nation of Israel during periods of apostasy. Theologically, this phrase underscores the biblical principle that true fulfillment and prosperity come from a life aligned with God's will, rather than the pursuit of hedonistic desires.

the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
Wine and oil in ancient Israel were symbols of wealth and abundance, often used in religious rituals and as staples in the diet (Deuteronomy 7:13). However, an excessive love for these items indicates indulgence and a lack of self-control. The cultural context of the time viewed moderation as a virtue, and the Bible frequently warns against drunkenness and gluttony (Proverbs 23:20-21, Ephesians 5:18). This phrase suggests that those who prioritize luxury and excess over prudent management of resources will fail to achieve lasting wealth. In a broader spiritual sense, it reflects the teaching that spiritual riches are of greater value than material wealth, as seen in Jesus' teachings about storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and godly living are captured in the book of Proverbs.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key part of teaching and guiding the community in righteous living.

3. Pleasure Seekers
This refers to individuals who prioritize personal enjoyment and indulgence over discipline and responsibility, leading to potential poverty.

4. Wine and Oil
In ancient times, wine and oil were symbols of luxury and wealth. They were often used in celebrations and anointing, representing abundance and prosperity.

5. Poverty and Wealth
These are recurring themes in Proverbs, often used to illustrate the consequences of wise versus foolish living.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Indulgence
Pursuing pleasure as a primary goal can lead to financial and spiritual poverty. Christians are called to exercise self-control and prioritize godly living over temporary pleasures.

The Illusion of Wealth
Loving luxury items like wine and oil can create a false sense of security. True wealth is found in a relationship with God and living according to His principles.

Wisdom in Financial Stewardship
Proverbs encourages wise management of resources. Christians should seek to balance enjoyment with responsibility, ensuring that their financial practices honor God.

Contentment in Christ
True contentment comes from a relationship with Christ, not from material possessions or indulgent living. Believers are encouraged to find joy in God's provision and purpose.(17) Wine and oil.--The accompaniments of a feast. The oil, or precious unguents, were poured over the head (comp. Psalm 23:5). It was the excessive love and gratitude of the two Marys (Luke 7:38; John 12:3) which prompted them to anoint the Lord's feet. These perfumes were sometimes of great value, the "pound of ointment of spikenard" (John 12:3) was worth "more than three hundred pence" (10 12s. 6d.), the wages of a day labourer (Matthew 20:2) for nearly a year.

Verse 17. - He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; qui diligit epulas, Vulgate; for feasts are chiefly, though not exclusively, intended. He shall become "a man of want" (machesor) as Proverbs 11:24. He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. "Wine and oil" were the usual adjuncts of banquets (Psalm 23:5; Psalm 104:15). Some unguents used for anointing honoured guests were very costly. The pound of spikenard expended by Mary of Bethany was worth more than three hundred pence - the wages of a labourer for nearly a whole year (see John 12:3; Matthew 20:2). Indulgence in such luxuries would be a token of prodigality and extravagance, which are the sure precursors of ruin; while, on the other hand, according to the trite proverb, Magnum vectigal est parsimonia. That fulness of meat and luxurious habits tend to spiritual poverty and the loss of grace, need not be insisted on. Septuagint, "A man in want (ἐνδεὴς) loveth mirth, loving wine and oil unto wealth (εἰς πλοῦτον)." Some translate the last words, "in abundance," as if the meaning was that the poor endeavours to mitigate the severity of his lot by getting all the pleasure he can from creature comforts however procured. Others think that a negative has fallen out of the Greek, which should be, "not unto wealth," i.e. he shall not be enriched thereby.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who loves
אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

pleasure
שִׂמְחָ֑ה (śim·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

will become poor;
מַ֭חְסוֹר (maḥ·sō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4270: A need, thing needed, poverty

the one who loves
אֹהֵ֥ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

wine
יַֽיִן־ (ya·yin-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and oil
וָ֝שֶׁ֗מֶן (wā·še·men)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

will never
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

become rich.
יַעֲשִֽׁיר׃ (ya·‘ă·šîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6238: To accumulate, chiefly, to grow, rich


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:17 He who loves pleasure shall be (Prov. Pro Pr)
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