Proverbs 23:4-5

⁴ Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 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 22

Proverbs 23

Proverbs 24 >

Other Translations of Proverbs 23:4-5

King James Version

⁴ Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. ⁵ Wilt thou set set...: Heb. cause thine eyes to fly upon thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

English Standard Version

⁴ Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. ⁵ When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

The Message

⁴ Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself ⁵ Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.

New King James Version

⁴ Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease ⁵ Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

New Living Translation

⁴ Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. ⁵ In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 23:4-5

Commentary on Proverbs 23:4-5

(Read Proverbs 23:4-5)

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.