Proverbs 23:5 “When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itsel…”

Proverbs 23:5

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

World English Bible

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

American Standard Version

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

Geneva Bible 1599

Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.

Darby Translation

wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens.

Young's Literal Translation

For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.

Bible in Basic English

Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“thou”

1 John 2:16 Jeremiah 22:17 Psalm 119:36 Psalm 119:37

1 John 2:16 · BSB

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Jeremiah 22:17 · BSB

“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”

Psalm 119:36 · BSB

Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

Psalm 119:37 · BSB

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

“that which”

Genesis 42:36 Ecclesiastes 12:8 Ecclesiastes 1:2 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 Isaiah 55:2

Genesis 42:36 · BSB

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”

Ecclesiastes 12:8 · BSB

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

Ecclesiastes 1:2 · BSB

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

1 Corinthians 7:29–31 · BSB

What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

Isaiah 55:2 · BSB

Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

“riches”

Proverbs 27:24 Matthew 6:19 1 Timothy 6:17 Job 1:14–17 Psalm 39:6 Ecclesiastes 5:13

Proverbs 27:24 · BSB

for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.

Matthew 6:19 · BSB

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

1 Timothy 6:17 · BSB

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Job 1:14–17 · BSB

a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,

Psalm 39:6 · BSB

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Ecclesiastes 5:13 · BSB

There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.

6Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies;

Read Proverbs 23