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.

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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 Don’t envy sinners,
    but always continue to fear the Lord.
18 You will be rewarded for this;
    your hope will not be disappointed.

19 My child, listen and be wise:
    Keep your heart on the right course.
20 Do not carouse with drunkards
    or feast with gluttons,
21 for they are on their way to poverty,
    and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

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Precepts and Warnings

24 Do not be (A)envious of evil people,
Nor desire to (B)be with them;
For their [a]minds plot (C)violence,
And their lips (D)talk of trouble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:2 Lit hearts

24 Don’t envy evil people
    or desire their company.
For their hearts plot violence,
    and their words always stir up trouble.

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