KJV ORIGINAL
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Someone who loves pleasure will become poor; someone who loves wine and expensive things will never be wealthy.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse warns that pursuing pleasure and luxury as your main focus will lead to poverty rather than prosperity.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, wine and oil were symbols of luxury and abundance - oil was used for cooking, lighting, and cosmetics, while wine represented celebration and indulgence. This proverb reflects the wisdom tradition's emphasis on self-discipline and hard work as paths to prosperity, contrasting with the self-indulgent lifestyle that was common among the wealthy but ultimately self-destructive.
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