19Listen, my son, and be wise,

and keep your heart on the right path.

20Do not join those who drink too much wine

or gorge themselves on meat,

21for drunkards and gluttons become poor,

and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

22Listen to your father, who gave you life,

and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23Buy the truth and do not sell it;

get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

24The father of a righteous man has great joy;

he who has a wise son delights in him.

25May your father and mother be glad;

may she who gave you birth rejoice!

26My son, give me your heart

and let your eyes keep to my ways,

27for a prostitute is a deep pit

and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

28Like a bandit she lies in wait,

and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

29Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has strife? Who has complaints?

Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30Those who linger over wine,

who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

31Do not gaze at wine when it is red,

when it sparkles in the cup,

when it goes down smoothly!

32In the end it bites like a snake

and poisons like a viper.

33Your eyes will see strange sights

and your mind imagine confusing things.

34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,

lying on top of the rigging.

35“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!

They beat me, but I don’t feel it!

When will I wake up

so I can find another drink?”