Proverbs 20:1

Wine ¹  is a mocker ²  and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise. ³ 

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.

Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome--a staggering drunk is not much fun.

Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Wine ¹  is a mocker ²  and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise. ³ 

¹ sn The drinks are wine and barley beer (e.g., Lev 10:9; Deut 14:26; Isa 28:7). These terms here could be understood as personifications, but better as metonymies for those who drink wine and beer. The inebriated person mocks and brawls.

² tn The two participles לֵץ (lets, “mocker”) and הֹמֶה (homeh, “brawler”) are substantives; they function as predicates in the sentence. Excessive use of intoxicants excites the drinker to boisterous behavior and aggressive attitudes – it turns them into mockers and brawlers.

³ sn The proverb does not prohibit the use of wine or beer; in fact, strong drink was used at festivals and celebrations. But intoxication was considered out of bounds for a member of the covenant community (e.g., 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:4-7). To be led astray by their use is not wise.