Proverbs 23:5

Translations

Modern

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Traditional

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

Literal

Will you make your eyes fly onto it, and it is not there? For it certainly makes for itself wings like an eagle and flies away to the heavens!

Latin

Ne erigas oculos tuos ad opes quas non potes habere, quia facient sibi pennas quasi aquilæ, et volabunt in cælum.

Original

Hebrew

English

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Notes

Proverbs 23:4–5

Saying 7: Wealth can be a blessing from God (Proverbs 3:9–10, 15–16; 10:22), but some things in life matter more.

Proverbs 22:17–24:22

This section is attributed to a group known as the wise, but their identity is unknown. There is a mention of thirty sayings (Proverbs 22:20). The wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections. These sections are similar to an Egyptian work called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters.

Theme notes and profiles

Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

Proverbs 27:24
…for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
James 5:1–2
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
Matthew 6:19
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
Psalm 119:36–37
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
Ecclesiastes 12:8
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”
Genesis 42:36
Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”
Psalm 39:6
Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
Job 1:14–17
…a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
Jeremiah 22:17
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

Proverbs 23:5

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