Proverbs 23:5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

◄ Proverbs 23:5 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

English Standard Version
When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

New American Standard Bible
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

King James Bible
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

International Standard Version
When you fix your gaze on it, it's gone, for it sprouts wings for itself and flies to the sky like an eagle.

American Standard Version
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.

Darby Bible Translation
wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens.

Young's Literal Translation
For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

23:1-3 God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no harm. 4,5. Be not of those that will be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long. 6-8. Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa 25:6; 55:2, we may safely partake of the Bread of life. 9. It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his peace. 10,11. The fatherless are taken under God's special protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. Wilt … eyes—As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.