Proverbs 23:15-35

15My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.

16My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.

17Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord.

18For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.

19Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.

20Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.

21For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.

22Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

23Buy — and do not sell — truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

24The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

25Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.

26My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

27For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward woman is a narrow well;

28indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.

29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?

30Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine.

31Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.

32In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.

33Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.

34You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast.

35“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn’t know it! When will I wake up? I’ll look for another drink.”