Proverbs 23:19-28

English Standard Version

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

^22 (F)Listen to your father who gave you life,
    ^(G)and do not despise your mother when she is old.
^23 (H)Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
^24 (I)The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
^25 (J)Let your father and mother be glad;
    let ^(K)her who bore you rejoice.

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