Proverbs 23:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

NIV: Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

NASB: Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will say perverse things.

CSB: Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.

NLT: You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.

KJV: Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

NKJV: Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.

This continues the Bible's most detailed warning about the dangers of drunkenness. Earlier verses noted troubles that come from excess drinking (Proverbs 23:29–32). They also introduced the idea that alcohol tends to be attractive, at first, only to strike like a poisonous snake, with deadly results. It is tragically common to hear about accidents, mistakes, fights, or other life-changing events happening because of the effects of alcohol.

One of the consequences mentioned here are hallucinations. Those mired in addiction, especially, can experience drastic changes in their perception thanks to alcohol. Even those who are "only" drunk experience confusion, a lack of self-control, and poor decision-making. They become numb to their surroundings (Proverbs 23:34). Those effects often combine to lead a drunk person to commit acts they would never have done while sober. Sadly, many who choose to drink attempt to blame the alcohol for their errors—though they were the ones who chose to drink in the first place. Lot's example is one of the most horrific. He was depicted as a righteous man who detested the sensual conduct of the wicked (2 Peter 2:7). Yet when his daughters conspired to get him drunk, he committed incest (Genesis 19:30–38).

The apostle Paul strongly condemns drunkenness in Romans 13:13. He writes: "Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy." In 1 Corinthians 5:11, he told believers "not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one." Paul's words emphasize how serious drunkenness is. While alcohol, itself, is not universally prohibited, Scripture commands believers not to become intoxicated (Ephesians 5:18).

Proverbs 23:26–35 contains a portion of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). In verse 26, he again pleads for his words to be heard. The warnings given here are more extensive than most others in this book. The first sounds an alarm about sexual temptation, comparing it to a trap or an ambush. The second goes to great lengths discouraging drunkenness, because of its effects and the danger of addiction.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.