Proverbs 23:31-32

Context

23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,

when it sparkles¹ in the cup,

when it goes down smoothly.²

23:32 Afterward³ it bites like a snake,

and stings like a viper.

[23:31] ¹tn Heb “its eye gives.” With CEV’s “bubbling up in the glass” one might think champagne was in view.

[23:31] ²tn The expression is difficult, and is suspected of having been added from Song 7:10, although the parallel is not exact. The verb is the Hitpael imperfect of הָלַךְ (halakh); and the prepositional phrase uses the word “upright; equity; pleasing,” from יָשָׁר (yashar). KJV has “when it moveth itself aright”; much more helpful is ASV: “when it goeth down smoothly.” Most recent English versions are similar to ASV. The phrase obviously refers to the pleasing nature of wine.

[23:32] ³tn Heb “its end”; NASB “At the last”; TEV (interpretively) “The next morning.”