Proverbs 23:15-35

15My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!

16Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.

17Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord.

18You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

19My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.

20Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons,

21for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

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

23Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

24The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

25So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

26O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

27A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.

28She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.

29Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.

31Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.

32For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.

33You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.

34You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.

35And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?”