Proverbs 23:21
New International Version
for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

New Living Translation
for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

English Standard Version
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Berean Standard Bible
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

King James Bible
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

New King James Version
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

New American Standard Bible
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

NASB 1995
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

NASB 1977
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

Amplified Bible
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.

Christian Standard Bible
For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.

American Standard Version
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Contemporary English Version
It will make you feel drowsy, and you will end up poor with only rags to wear.

English Revised Version
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because both a drunk and a glutton will become poor. Drowsiness will dress a person in rags.

Good News Translation
Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags.

International Standard Version
because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

Majority Standard Bible
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

NET Bible
because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished, and drowsiness clothes them with rags.

New Heart English Bible
for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

World English Bible
for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For the drunkard and glutton become poor, "" And drowsiness clothes with rags.

Young's Literal Translation
For the quaffer and glutton become poor, And drowsiness clotheth with rags.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the drunkard and the squanderer shall be dispossessed: and slumber shall clothe with rags.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because they that give themselves to drinking, and that club together shall be consumed; and drowsiness shall be clothed with rags.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For those who waste time drinking, and who surrender themselves to symbols, will be consumed. And those who sleep will be clothed in rags.

New American Bible
For drunkards and gluttons come to poverty, and lazing about clothes one in rags.

New Revised Standard Version
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the drunkard and the gluttonous shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he that is drunk with wine and a glutton of meat will be destroyed, and he that sleeps will wear horse cloth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
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. 22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.…

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

1 Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

Isaiah 5:22
Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,

Deuteronomy 21:20
and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”


Treasury of Scripture

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

the drunkard

Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Deuteronomy 21:20
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

Isaiah 28:1-3
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! …

drowsiness

Proverbs 6:9-11
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? …

Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; …

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Clothe Clothes Delight Drink Drinker Drowsiness Drunkard Drunkards Feasting Glutton Gluttons Heavy Love Need Poor Poorly Poverty Rags Sleep
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Clothe Clothes Delight Drink Drinker Drowsiness Drunkard Drunkards Feasting Glutton Gluttons Heavy Love Need Poor Poorly Poverty Rags Sleep
Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














for the drunkard
The Hebrew word for "drunkard" is "סֹבֵא" (sobe), which refers to one who habitually drinks to excess. In the ancient Near Eastern context, drunkenness was often associated with a lack of self-control and moral decay. The Bible consistently warns against excessive drinking, as it leads to impaired judgment and a departure from godly living. The drunkard is depicted as someone who prioritizes temporary pleasure over long-term well-being, ultimately leading to ruin.

and the glutton
The term "glutton" comes from the Hebrew "זָלַל" (zalal), meaning to be lavish or wasteful, particularly with food. Gluttony, like drunkenness, is a form of excess that reflects a lack of discipline. In biblical times, food was a precious resource, and overindulgence was seen as a misuse of God's provision. Gluttony is often linked with laziness and a disregard for the needs of others, highlighting a self-centered lifestyle that neglects spiritual and communal responsibilities.

will come to poverty
"Poverty" in Hebrew is "רֵישׁ" (resh), indicating a state of need or destitution. The verse warns that the lifestyle of excess, whether through drinking or eating, leads to financial and spiritual impoverishment. This is not merely a material condition but also a metaphor for spiritual bankruptcy. The Bible teaches that wise stewardship and self-control are essential for a life that honors God and sustains one's household.

and drowsiness
"Drowsiness" is translated from the Hebrew "תַּרְדֵּמָה" (tardemah), which implies a state of lethargy or slothfulness. This term suggests a lack of vigilance and alertness, both physically and spiritually. In the biblical worldview, drowsiness is often a consequence of indulgence and neglect of one's duties. It serves as a warning against complacency and the dangers of not being spiritually awake and active in one's faith.

will clothe them in rags
The imagery of being "clothed in rags" symbolizes disgrace and humiliation. In ancient cultures, clothing was a sign of one's status and dignity. To be dressed in rags was to be visibly marked by failure and poverty. This phrase underscores the inevitable outcome of a life given to excess and laziness. It serves as a vivid reminder that the choices we make have tangible consequences, both in this life and in our spiritual journey. The call is to pursue righteousness and wisdom, which lead to honor and provision.

(21) Drowsiness, that follows after such debauches.

Verse 21. - Intemperance leads to prodigality, carelessness, and ruin. And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. The luxury and excess spoken of above lead to drowsiness and inability to work, and poverty follows as the natural result (comp. Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 24:33, etc.). The Vulgate still harps on the same string as in the previous verse, "Those who waste time in drinking, and who give picnics (dantes symbola), shall be ruined, and semnolence small clothe with rags." The LXX. introduces a new idea which the Hebrew does not warrant, "For every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor, and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and rags."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the drunkard
סֹבֵ֣א (sō·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5433: To quaff to satiety, become tipsy

and the glutton
וְ֭זוֹלֵל (wə·zō·w·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2151: To shake, to quake, to be loose morally, worthless, prodigal

will come to poverty,
יִוָּרֵ֑שׁ (yiw·wā·rêš)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

and drowsiness
נוּמָֽה׃ (nū·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5124: Somnolence, indolence

will clothe
תַּלְבִּ֥ישׁ (tal·bîš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

them in rags.
וּ֝קְרָעִ֗ים (ū·qə·rā·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7168: Torn piece (of garment), a rag


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:20
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