Discovery BoxProverbs 23:35 
Context23:35 You will say, 1 “They have struck me, but I am not harmed!
They beat me, but I did not know it! 2
When will I awake? I will look for another drink.” 3
Proverbs 24:12
Context24:12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,”
does not the one who evaluates 4 hearts consider?
Does not the one who guards your life know?
Will he not repay each person according to his deeds? 5
1 tn The phrase “You will say” is supplied in the translation to make it clear that the drunkard is now speaking.
2 sn The line describes how one who is intoxicated does not feel the pain, even though beaten by others. He does not even remember it.
3 tn The last line has only “I will add I will seek it again.” The use of אוֹסִיף (’osif) signals a verbal hendiadys with the next verb: “I will again seek it.” In this context the suffix on the verb refers to the wine – the drunkard wants to go and get another drink.
4 tn Heb “weighs” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV) meaning “tests” or “evaluates.”
5 sn The verse completes the saying by affirming that people will be judged responsible for helping those in mortal danger. The verse uses a series of rhetorical questions to affirm that God knows our hearts and we cannot plead ignorance.
