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Proverbs 21:17

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
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 during the time of King Solomon, the Book of Proverbs was written as a collection of wise sayings to guide people in everyday life and moral decisions. This verse reflects a culture where excessive indulgence in pleasures was seen as a path to poverty, as resources like wine and oil symbolized wealth and abundance that needed to be managed wisely. Biblical wisdom literature often emphasized the importance of discipline and foresight to avoid the pitfalls of materialism in a society that valued hard work and stewardship.

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