17 Let not your heart (A)envy sinners,
    but continue in (B)the fear of the Lord all the day.
18 Surely (C)there is a future,
    and your (D)hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and (E)be wise,
    and (F)direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among (G)drunkards[a]
    or among (H)gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and (I)slumber will clothe them with rags.

22 (J)Listen to your father who gave you life,
    (K)and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 (L)Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:20 Hebrew those who drink too much wine

17 Don’t let your heart envy sinners;(A)
instead, always fear the Lord.(B)
18 For then you will have a future,
and your hope will not be dashed.(C)

19 Listen, my son, and be wise;
keep your mind on the right course.
20 Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine(D)
or with those who gorge themselves on meat.(E)
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor,
and grogginess will clothe them in rags.(F)

22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when[a] she is old.(G)
23 Buy—and do not sell—truth,
wisdom, instruction, and understanding.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 23:22 Or because