17 (A)Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But live in [a]the (B)fear of the Lord [b]always.
18 Certainly there is a [c](C)future,
And your (D)hope will not be cut off.
19 Listen, my son, and (E)be wise,
And (F)direct your heart in the way.
20 Do not be with (G)heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with (H)gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the (I)heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And (J)drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

22 (K)Listen to your father, who fathered you,
And (L)do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 (M)Buy truth, and do not sell it,
Get wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:17 Or reverence for
  2. Proverbs 23:17 Lit all the day
  3. Proverbs 23:18 Lit latter end

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
    but always continue in the fear of the Lord.(A)
18 Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my child, and be wise,
    and direct your mind in the way.
20 Do not be among winebibbers
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,(B)
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.(C)

22 Listen to your father who begot you,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.(D)
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.(E)

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