Proverbs 23:19-35

New International Version

¹⁹ Listen, my son,^(A) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:
²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine^(B)
    or gorge themselves on meat,
²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor,^(C)
    and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.^(D)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.^(E)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.^(F)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!^(G)

²⁶ My son,^(H) give me your heart
    and let your eyes delight in my ways,^(I)
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,^(J)
    and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
²⁸ Like a bandit she lies in wait^(K)
    and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaints?
    Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
³⁰ Those who linger over wine,^(L)
    who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
³¹ Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly!
³² In the end it bites like a snake
    and poisons like a viper.
³³ Your eyes will see strange sights,
    and your mind will imagine confusing things.
³⁴ You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
    lying on top of the rigging.
³⁵ “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
    They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
    so I can find another drink?”^(M)