Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
– Proverbs 23:31

Verse 31 begins direct warning against drunkenness. The warning starts where drunkenness, and other sins, start. This verse describes wine in an appealing and tempting way. The word for look means to see, consider, and inspect. Wisdom understands the way of temptation and sinful actions and consequences result from a chain of decisions within. Consider the young simpleton in Proverbs 7:1-27, and though his actions seem impulsive, it is clear his sin worked from inside out. Wisdom warns not to look on, or fantasize about the drink. The warning here is much like the warning to avoid strange women (Proverbs 5:8; 6:25; 7:25) and evil men (Proverbs 4:14-15).

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