26 My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe[a] my ways.
27 For a prostitute is (A)a deep pit;
    (B)an adulteress[b] is a narrow (C)well.
28 (D)She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

29 (E)Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has (F)wounds without cause?
    Who has (G)redness of eyes?
30 Those who (H)tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try (I)mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it (J)bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter (K)perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.[c]
35 “They (L)struck me,” you will say,[d] “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
    I (M)must have another drink.”

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:26 Or delight in
  2. Proverbs 23:27 Hebrew a foreign woman
  3. Proverbs 23:34 Or of the rigging
  4. Proverbs 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say

Saying 18

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

Saying 19

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,(E)
    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?”(F)

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