Proverbs 23:35

They haue striken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sicke: they haue beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seeke it yet againe. Proverbs 23:35 (KJV)

Proverbs chapter 23 indeed contains thirty‑five verses, and the final verse presents a stark picture of the grip of addiction. The surrounding verses, Proverbs 23:29‑34, form a vivid warning against the dangers of excessive drinking and the moral and physical decline it can produce.

Verse 29 lists a series of afflictions—woe, sorrow, contention, babbling, wounds without cause, and redness of the eyes—signs that often accompany those who indulge in wine beyond moderation. Verse 30 describes those who linger long at the wine and seek mixed drinks, while verse 31 cautions the reader not to be enticed by the wine’s attractive color and smooth movement in the cup. Verse 32 compares the ultimate effect of such indulgence to the bite of a serpent and the sting of an adder, emphasizing its harmful and destructive nature. Verse 33 warns that the eyes will behold strange women and the heart will utter perverse things, indicating impaired judgment and moral compromise. Verse 34 likens the drunkard to one who lies in the midst of the sea or atop a mast, a picture of instability and danger.

The concluding verse, Proverbs 23:35, captures the addictive cycle. The speaker acknowledges being struck and beaten yet claims not to feel the injury, asking when he will awaken from this state and declaring his intention to seek the drink again. This denial of pain and the resolve to return to the source of harm illustrate the powerful hold of alcohol addiction and the tendency to repeat destructive behavior despite evident wounds.

The passage as a whole serves as a sober admonition: excessive drinking leads to physical ailments, moral corruption, and a loss of self‑control. It urges believers to recognize the subtle allure of wine, to avoid being lulled by its appearance, and to break the cycle before it results in deeper spiritual and bodily harm.