Proverbs 21:17 bbe — The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.

Bible in Basic English

"The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth."

— Proverbs 21:17, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

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Proverbs 21:17 in Other Translations

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Proverbs 21 — Context

14

By a secret offering wrath is turned away, and the heat of angry feelings by money in the folds of the robe.

15

It is a joy to the good man to do right, but it is destruction to the workers of evil.

16

The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.

17

The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.

18

The evil-doer will be given as a price for the life of the good man, and the worker of deceit in the place of the upright.

19

It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.

20

There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.

Proverbs 21:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 21:17 say?
Proverbs 21:17 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.”
Where is Proverbs 21:17 in the Bible?
Proverbs 21:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 17.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 21:17.
What translation should I read Proverbs 21:17 in?
Proverbs 21:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 21:17?
Proverbs 21:17 reads (BBE): “The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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