Proverbs 23:26-24:12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 My child, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe[a] my ways.(A)
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
an adulteress[b] is a narrow well.(B)
28 She lies in wait like a robber
and increases the number of the faithless.(C)
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?(D)
30 Those who linger late over wine,
those who keep trying mixed wines.(E)
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
and your mind utter perverse things.(F)
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 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 will seek another drink.”(G)
24 Do not envy the wicked,
nor desire to be with them,(H)
2 for their minds devise violence,
and their lips talk of mischief.(I)
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;(J)
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones[e]
and those who have knowledge than those who have strength,(K)
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.(L)
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the gate they do not open their mouths.(M)
8 Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a mischief-maker.(N)
9 The devising of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to all.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength being small;(O)
11 if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,
those who go staggering to the slaughter;(P)
12 if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?
And will he not repay all according to their deeds?(Q)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.