Proverbs 23:20
New International Version
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,

New Living Translation
Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons,

English Standard Version
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,

Berean Standard Bible
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.

King James Bible
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

New King James Version
Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

New American Standard Bible
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

NASB 1995
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

NASB 1977
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

Amplified Bible
Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat,

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.

American Standard Version
Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:

Contemporary English Version
Don't be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food.

English Revised Version
Be not among winebibbers; among gluttonous eaters of flesh:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not associate with those who drink too much wine, with those who eat too much meat,

Good News Translation
Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food.

International Standard Version
Don't associate with heavy drinkers or dine with gluttons,

Majority Standard Bible
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.

NET Bible
Do not spend time among drunkards, among those who eat too much meat,

New Heart English Bible
Do not be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:

Webster's Bible Translation
Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

World English Bible
Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not become drunk with wine, "" Among gluttonous ones of flesh,

Young's Literal Translation
Be not thou among quaffers of wine, Among gluttonous ones of flesh,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not be with those drinking wine to excess, and with squanderers of flesh to them:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be not in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in their revellings, who contribute flesh to eat:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not be willing to be in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in the carousings of those who gather to feed on flesh.

New American Bible
Do not join with wine bibbers, nor with those who glut themselves on meat.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not be among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be not drunk with wine; and be not a gluttonous eater of meat:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not be drunk with wine and do not be a glutton of meat.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be not among winebibbers; Among gluttonous eaters of flesh;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be not a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
19Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course. 20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. 21For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.…

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

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.

Galatians 5:21
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 6:10
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

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 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 Thessalonians 5:7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

Matthew 24:49
And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

Titus 1:7
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

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

Isaiah 5:11
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.

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.

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.

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!


Treasury of Scripture

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

not

Proverbs 23:29-35
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? …

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 28:7
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

flesh

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Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














Do not join
The phrase "Do not join" serves as a cautionary directive, urging the reader to exercise discernment in their associations. The Hebrew root for "join" is "תְּהִי" (tehi), which implies becoming or being in the company of. This is a call to be mindful of the influence that companions can have on one's character and behavior. In a historical context, the Israelites were often warned against mingling with pagan cultures that could lead them astray from their covenant with God. This principle remains relevant, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with those who uphold godly values.

those who drink too much wine
The phrase "those who drink too much wine" highlights the dangers of excessive indulgence in alcohol. The Hebrew word for "wine" is "יַיִן" (yayin), which was a common beverage in biblical times, often used in celebrations and religious rituals. However, the Bible frequently warns against overindulgence, which can lead to a loss of self-control and moral compromise. Historically, wine was a symbol of joy and blessing, but also of potential downfall when misused. This serves as a reminder of the need for moderation and the avoidance of behaviors that can lead to spiritual and physical harm.

or gorge themselves on meat
The phrase "or gorge themselves on meat" addresses the issue of gluttony, which is the excessive consumption of food. The Hebrew root for "gorge" is "זָלַל" (zalal), meaning to be lavish or wasteful. In ancient times, meat was a luxury and often associated with feasting and celebration. However, the Bible cautions against overindulgence, which can lead to a lack of discipline and self-control. This warning is not just about physical health, but also about spiritual well-being, as gluttony can become an idol that distracts from one's relationship with God. The emphasis is on living a balanced life that honors God in all aspects, including dietary habits.

Verse 20. - Wine bibbers; persons who meet together for the express purpose of drinking intoxicating liquors. Among riotous eaters of flesh. The Hebrew is "of flesh for themselves," whence some take the meaning to be "of their own flesh," i.e. who by their gluttony and luxury ruin their own bodies. But the parallelism with the wine drinker shows plainly that the flesh which they eat is meant, and the idea is that they eat for the gratification of their own appetites, caring nothing for anything else. The combination of glutton and wine bibber was used as a reproach against our blessed Lord (Matthew 11:19). The versions of Jerome and the LXX. point to the contributed entertainments, where each guest brought some article to the meal, like our picnics. Thus Vulgate, "Be not among parties of drinkers, nor at the banquets of those who contribute flesh to eat;" Septuagint. "Be not a wine bibber, and strain not after contributed feasts (συμβολαῖς) and purchases of meats."

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

join
תְּהִ֥י (tə·hî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

those who drink too much
בְסֹֽבְאֵי־ (ḇə·sō·ḇə·’ê-)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5433: To quaff to satiety, become tipsy

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

or gorge
בְּזֹלֲלֵ֖י (bə·zō·lă·lê)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2151: To shake, to quake, to be loose morally, worthless, prodigal

themselves on meat.
בָשָׂ֣ר (ḇā·śār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:20 Don't be among ones drinking too much (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:19
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