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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

17 Never let yourself envy sinners;
    instead, remain[a] in fear of the Lord every day,
18 for there is surely a future life,
    and what you hope for will not be cut off.

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
    commit yourself to live God’s[b] way.
20 Don’t associate with heavy drinkers
    or dine with gluttons,
21 because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor,
    and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:17 The Heb. lacks remain
  2. Proverbs 23:19 Lit. live in the

24 Be not (A)envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be (B)with them,
for their hearts (C)devise violence,
    and their lips (D)talk of trouble.

Read full chapter

Benefits of Wisdom

24 Don’t be envious of wicked men
or wish you were with them,
because they[a] plan violence,
    and they are always talking[b] about trouble.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:2 Lit. because their hearts
  2. Proverbs 24:2 Lit. and their lips talk