23:33–34

In these two verses, the teacher uses “you/your(sing) ” pronouns to help the young man imagine more clearly what a drunk person experiences.

23:33

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

33a
Your eyes will see strange things

33b and your mind will utter perversities.

23:33a

Your eyes will see strange things: In Hebrew, this line is literally “your eyes will see strange(plur).” English versions supply a plural word such as things or “sights” (New International Version) to fit English usage.

This line probably refers to what a drunk person “sees” in his mind. He thinks that he sees strange or abnormal things. But the things that he imagines are not really there. Some other ways to translate this line are:

Weird sights will appear before your eyes (Good News Translation)
-or-
You will see hallucinations (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You will imagine that you see things, but they are not really there.

23:33b

and your mind will utter perversities: In Hebrew, this line is literally “and your heart will speak perversities.” There are three ways to interpret this line:

(1) The drunk person’s words will be confusing. He will not speak clearly. For example:

and you will say crazy things (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The drunk person’s thoughts will be confusing. He will not think clearly. For example:

and your mind will be confused (New Century Version)

(3) The drunk person’s thoughts and words will be confusing. He will not think or speak clearly. For example:

and you will not be able to think or speak clearly (Good News Translation)

(4) The drunk person’s thoughts will be especially inappropriate, offensive, or evil. For example:

and your mind will utter perversities (Berean Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most commentaries. With this interpretation, the drunk person’s heart (or mind) is understood to be the source of his words. See 15:28 and 16:23. Both these verses clearly show the connection between heart/mind and words.

However, you may also follow interpretation (3). In Hebrew, the heart is the source of a person’s thoughts as well as his words.

perversities: The word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as perversities, when used in other verses, refers to words, actions, or people that are evil or deceive others. See the notes on 2:12b and 2:14b.

Here, in the context of a drunk person, it indicates that his words are confusing. Their meaning is not clear. They may also be inappropriate or offensive.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

you will talk nonsense from your heart (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your mouth will say embarrassing things (God’s Word)
-or-
you will not be able to speak clearly

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