Proverbs 23:31
New International Version
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

New Living Translation
Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.

English Standard Version
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

King James Bible
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

New King James Version
Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;

New American Standard Bible
Do not look at wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;

NASB 1995
Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;

NASB 1977
Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not look on the wine when it glistens red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;

Amplified Bible
Do not look at wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the glass, When it goes down smoothly.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.

American Standard Version
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly:

Contemporary English Version
Don't even look at that colorful stuff bubbling up in the glass! It goes down so easily,

English Revised Version
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it goeth down smoothly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not look at wine because it is red, because it sparkles in the cup, because it goes down smoothly.

Good News Translation
Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.

International Standard Version
Don't stare into red wine, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

NET Bible
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

New Heart English Bible
Do not look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

Webster's Bible Translation
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

World English Bible
Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not see wine when it shows itself red, "" When it gives its color in the cup, "" It goes up and down through the upright.

Young's Literal Translation
See not wine when it showeth itself red, When it giveth in the cup its colour, It goeth up and down through the upright.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not look upon wine when it shall be red, when it shall give its eye in the cup, it will go about in uprightnesses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Look not upon the wine when it is yellow, when the colour thereof shineth in the glass: it goeth in pleasantly,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not gaze into the wine when it turns gold, when its color shines in the glass. It enters pleasantly,

New American Bible
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup. It goes down smoothly,

New Revised Standard Version
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do not look on the wine when it is red in the cup, but meditate on righteousness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not fix your eyes on the wine that is red, its color in the cup, but meditate on righteousness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it giveth its colour in the cup, When it glideth down smoothly;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
30Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks. 31Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.…

Cross References
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

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.

Habakkuk 2:15
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!

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.

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.

Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

Isaiah 28:7
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

Luke 21:34
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

1 Timothy 3:3
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Hosea 4:11
to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.

Joel 1:5
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.

Micah 2:11
If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!


Treasury of Scripture

Look not you on the wine when it is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moves itself aright.

Proverbs 6:25
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

2 Samuel 11:2
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Job 33:1
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

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Aright Bright Color Colour Cup Eyes Gaze Glideth Goes Itself Moveth Red Showeth Smoothly Upright Wine
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Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














Do not gaze
The Hebrew word for "gaze" is "ra'ah," which means to look intently or to consider with desire. This phrase warns against the initial temptation that comes from focusing on something alluring. In a broader spiritual context, it serves as a reminder to guard one's heart and eyes against the allure of sin. The act of gazing can lead to a deeper entanglement with temptation, suggesting that the battle against sin often begins with what we allow ourselves to focus on.

at wine
The Hebrew term "yayin" refers to fermented grape juice, commonly consumed in ancient times. Wine was a staple in the diet of the Israelites, used in celebrations and religious rituals. However, the Bible frequently warns against excessive consumption. This phrase highlights the potential danger of wine, not as an inherently evil substance, but as something that can lead to moral and spiritual downfall if not approached with caution and moderation.

while it is red
The redness of wine is often associated with its appeal and quality. In ancient times, red wine was considered more potent and desirable. This phrase underscores the seductive nature of wine, drawing attention to its visual allure. The color red can symbolize both vitality and danger, serving as a metaphor for the dual nature of wine—capable of bringing joy but also leading to ruin if misused.

when it sparkles in the cup
The sparkling of wine refers to its effervescence and visual appeal. The Hebrew word "natan" can imply giving or presenting, suggesting that wine presents itself attractively. This imagery evokes the initial enticement of sin, which often appears beautiful and harmless. The sparkling wine is a metaphor for the deceptive nature of temptation, which can captivate the senses and cloud judgment.

and goes down smoothly
The phrase "goes down smoothly" speaks to the ease and pleasure of consuming wine. The Hebrew root "halak" means to walk or proceed, indicating the effortless nature of indulgence. This serves as a caution against the seductive ease with which one can fall into excess. The smoothness of wine is a metaphor for the subtlety of sin, which can lead one astray without immediate awareness of its consequences.

(31) When it giveth its colour.--Or sparkles.

When it moveth itself aright.--Or, when it glides easily down the throat.

Verse 31. - Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Be not attracted by its beautiful appearance. The wine of Palestine was chiefly "red," though what we call white wine was not unknown. The Vulgate flavescit points to the latter. When it giveth his colour in the cup. For "color" the Hebrew has "eye," which refers to the sparkling and gleaming which show themselves in wine poured into the cup. It is as though the cup had an eye which glanced at the drinker with a fascination which he did not resist. When it moveth itself aright. Having warned against the attraction of sight, the moralist now passes to the seduction of taste. Hebrew, when it goeth by the right read. This may refer to its transference from the jar or skin to the drinking cup; but it mere probably alludes to the drinker's throat, and is best translated, "when it glideth down smoothly." Vulgate, ingreditur blande. The wine pleases the palate, and passes over it without roughness or harshness (comp. Song of Solomon 7:9). The LXX. has enlarged on the original thus: "Be ye not drunk with wine, but converse with just men, and converse in public places (ἐν περιπάτοις). For if thou set thine eyes on goblets and cups, afterwards thou shalt walk more bare than a pestle (γύμνοτερος ὐπέρου)." This last expression, pistillo nudior, is a proverb. Regarding the danger of looking on seductive objects, the Arab, in his sententious language, says, "The contemplation of vice is vice."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

gaze at
תֵּ֥רֶא (tê·re)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

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

while
כִּ֪י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it is red,
יִתְאַ֫דָּ֥ם (yiṯ·’ad·dām)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 119: Flush, turn rosy

when
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it sparkles
יִתֵּ֣ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

in the cup
בַּכּ֣וֹס (bak·kō·ws)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3599: A cup, a bag for, money, weights

and goes down smoothly.
יִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ךְ (yiṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:31 Don't look at the wine when it (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:30
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