Proverbs 23:31

31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

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Proverbs 23:31 in Other Translations

KJV

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

ESV

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

NLT

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

MSG

31 Don't judge wine by its label, or its bouquet, or its full-bodied flavor.

CSB

31 Don't gaze at wine when it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.

Proverbs 23:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red
Or, "because it is red" ^F18; or shows itself red. Which was the only wine used in the land of Canaan, or, however, the most esteemed of, and that most of art which had the best colour; when it had a good, bright, red colour, or sparkled, and looked bright and beautiful, so the word signifies; and then it should not be looked upon: not that it is unlawful to look upon the colour of wine, and thereby judge of its goodness; but it should not be looked upon with a greedy eye, so as vehemently to desire it, which will lead to an intemperate use of it; just as looking upon a woman, so as to lust after her, is forbidden, ( Matthew 5:28 ) ; when it giveth his colour in the cup:
or, its eye in the cup ^F19; such a bright, brisk, and beautiful colour, as is like a bright and sparkling eye. Here is a various reading; it is written in the text, "in the purse" ^F20; it is read in the margin, "in the cup"; and Jarchi's note takes in both,

``he that drinks wine sets his eye on the cup; and the vintner sets his on his purse;''

[when] it moveth itself aright;
sparkles in the glass, or goes down the throat pleasantly; or rather looks well to the eye, and appears right and good, and promises a great deal of satisfaction and delight.

FOOTNOTES:

F18 (yk) "quia", some in Mercerus, Gejerus.
F19 (wnye) "oculum suum", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F20 (oykb) "in crumena, vel marsupio", Mercerus.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible