Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 23:29

ESV Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
NIV Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
NASB Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has red eyes?
CSB Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
NLT Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
KJV Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
NKJV Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

What does Proverbs 23:29 mean?

Beginning with this verse, Solomon turns his attention to the sin of drunkenness. Verses 29 through 35 of this chapter are the Bible's most vivid description of the consequences of alcohol abuse. Wines, beers, and other "strong drink" were available in the ancient world (Deuteronomy 14:26; Numbers 6:3; Luke 1:15). Scripture does not give a blanket command for believers to avoid all alcohol consumption. However, the Bible makes it clear that alcohol is not to be used carelessly (Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1). It's also important to note that the modern world offers easier access to intoxicating drinks, with much greater potency, than was typical in biblical eras.

Many modern western cultures include the idea of "happy hour," where bars offer discounted drinks to increase business. Given what Solomon describes here, and how often modern people set aside sensible views of alcohol, that's a deeply misleading title. The next verse notes that those who drink to excess (Proverbs 23:30) are the ones subject to "woe…sorrow…strife…complaining…wounds…[and] redness of eyes." Alcohol is a significant factor in many accidents, acts of violence, life-altering mistakes, and addictions. Those who drink to excess put themselves—and others—in harm's way through those risks. All too often, the drink is blamed, rather than the drunkard taking full responsibility for their choice to consume.

Later verses will mention dangers such as hallucinations and uncontrolled speech (Proverbs 23:33), loss of physical control (Proverbs 23:34), loss of awareness and addiction (Proverbs 23:35).
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