New International Version
Proverbs 23:21
21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
- New Living Translation (NLT)for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
Context of Proverbs 23:21
19Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: 20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. 22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
Read all of Proverbs 23Proverbs 23:21 word by word
כִּי־סֹבֵ֣א וְ֭זוֹלֵל יִוָּרֵ֑שׁ וּ֝קְרָעִ֗ים תַּלְבִּ֥ישׁ נוּמָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:21
- Proverbs 21:17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
- Deuteronomy 21:20They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
- Isaiah 28:1Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley— to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine!
- Joel 1:5Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
- 1 Corinthians 6:10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
- Galatians 5:21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Philippians 3:19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
- Proverbs 6:9How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
- Proverbs 19:15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
- Proverbs 24:30I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
Commentaries on Proverbs 23:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-35Verses 15-35 Another continuous exhortation rather than a collection of maxims. Proverbs 23:16 The teacher rejoices when the disciple‘s heart Proverbs 23:15 receives wisdom, and yet more when his lips can utter it. Reins - See Job 19:27 note. Proverbs 23:17 Envy sinners - Compare in Psalm 37:1; Psalm 73:3; the feeling which looks half-longingly at the prosperity of evil doers. Some connect the verb “envy” with the second clause, “envy not sinners, but…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-28Verses 19-28 The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part with it for pleasures…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21Saying 15: Discipline is essential for a wise and balanced life. Drinking too much (drunkards, see also Proverbs 23:29–35), overeating (gluttons, see also Proverbs 23:1–3), or oversleeping (see also Proverbs 10:5; 19:15) leads to poverty.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2119-21. guide ... way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 23:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 23
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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