4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set set...: Heb. cause thine eyes to fly upon thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
English Standard Version
4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
The Message
4 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself 5 Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
New King James Version
4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease 5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
New Living Translation
4 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
Be not of those that will be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 23:4-5
Commentary on Proverbs 23:4-5
(Read Proverbs 23:4-5)
Be not of those that will be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long.