Proverbs 24:1–34

 ¹ Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; ² For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking. ³ Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; ⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. ⁵ A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; ⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. ⁷ Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate. ⁸ He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer. ⁹ The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. ¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. ¹¹ Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. ¹² If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? ¹³ My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; ¹⁴ So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. ¹⁵ Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place; ¹⁶ For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. ¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; ¹⁸ Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. ¹⁹ Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; ²⁰ For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. ²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; ²² For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring? ²³ These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. ²⁴ He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. ²⁵ But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. ²⁶ He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. ²⁷ Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. ²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips? ²⁹ Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” ³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; ³¹ And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. ³² When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; ³⁴ So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1-2 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; ² For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking. 

This proverb though geared towards the young and influential is good counsel for us all, given the endless propensity for popular culture and all of its mediums to try to make appealing those who lives seemingly succeed by evil and wicked and violent means. And so, this proverb is warning us against getting involved with them, because if you do you will get caught with them, and reap their terrible end.

Vs. 3-4 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; ⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 

Wisdom is the cornerstone upon which one builds an everlasting foundation upon which one lays the groundwork for reaping everlasting riches! Thus, ones life and its quality, along with one’s own prosperity all begins with building on a wise and everlasting foundation. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Foundation!

Vs. 5-6 ⁵ A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; ⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. 

The wise man is first and foremost strong in his knowledge of the Lord, thus he knows both His works and His ways. And so as he does so, he increases in strength, in his ability to discern between good and evil, and thus wage a wise war in all aspects of his life. Whereas the mighty warrior only lives by the strength of his own arm, of his own resolve, of his own understanding, and so his own pride becomes his own undoing in the end. Again, the wise man is strong because he seeks out and receives wise and Godly counsel, for a wise man knows his own shortcomings, and so he finds refuge and safety in the wise counsel of others, with far more knowledge and understanding and experience then himself.

Vs. 7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate. 

Though wisdom is near us all it is always out reach of the fool, because in order to reach it he must first let go of his foolishness, of his foolish beliefs and behavior. Therefore, he does not open his mouth in the gate where the elders and wise men of the city meet and discuss matters, and or render wise judgments, because he can contribute nothing to their conversations except to reveal himself a fool. Now think of how Jesus, even as a young child, impressed the all with His understanding (Luke 2:41-50)

Vs. 8 He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer. 

A man who uses his knowledge and understanding to do evil will rightly be called a schemer. This proverb is clearly seen in the psychopath’s ability to cunningly manipulate and charm others, therefore don’t be deceived by them, for they are far more common, and in all walks of life than you realize.

Vs. 9 The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 

Take note then that those who devise foolishness sin, (and so those who think that doing, pursing, and or prompting folly from others is joyous, are only deceiving themselves). Now the scoffer is an abomination to men, because in their prideful arrogance they openly disdain and mock others even when they should be helping them, and not mocking someone when they fail or fall.

Vs. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. 

This proverb is given to reveal the resolve (or lack thereof) of us all. That said one should never acquaint struggling with quitting.

Vs. 11-12 ¹¹ Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. ¹² If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Now God gives us who believe in His Son Jesus Christ wisdom, insight, and understanding, for by His Spirit He opens our eyes to see and ears to hear what we once were so ignorant of. First beginning in our own lives and then as we come to see and understand the perils of sin, the downward progression of this world, of the plight and peril of all of those people who in their ignorance are perishing in their own sins and transgressions, because they are following the course of this world and the god of this age (i.e. Satan) who has blinded their eyes. To then remain silent when there is so much need for God’s Word’s truth, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s Redemption and Salvation from sin and death to be proclaimed everywhere because there is so much evil and injustice going unchecked everywhere in this world, is simply untenable. Now that’s the big picture application, on a personal level to watch someone ruin themselves through their own sins and transgressions and say nothing to try to turn them back from them, will not be excusable in the sight of God when He Judges us all (Ezek. 18:23, 30-32; 33:1-6; John 3:17; Acts 18:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9).

Vs. 13-14 ¹³ My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; ¹⁴ So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

Here the wisdom of God is likened to finding and eating of honey which was a desired treasure in ancient times. The person then who finds wisdom, God’s wisdom, and feeds on it will find themselves and their souls pleasantly gratified. For Hope is the cornerstone of God’s Word.  

Vs. 15-16 ¹⁵ Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place; ¹⁶ For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Though a righteous person may fall, fall into sin for a season, or fall into troubles, even severe troubles, and thus seem abandoned by the Lord to all those who are wicked and evil. Nonetheless God's Word here warns not to seek to plunder them during those times, for God Himself will uphold them, and He Himself will bring down the wicked who do so by bringing calamity and ruin into their lives.

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; ¹⁸ Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. 

Here we are told that we are not to rejoice over our enemy’s misfortune, or to take pleasure in their miseries, for such an attitude is not fitting for any Christian to harbor such ill will against anyone.

Vs. 19-20 ¹⁹ Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; ²⁰ For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. 

Again, we are told not to fret because of evil doers (see Psalm 37), that justice is almost always first delayed before it comes to them, this is especially true of God’s justice which is often delayed but never denied! And so when it does come from Him to them they will have no recourse, no escape, because they refused to turn from their evil ways, whether an individual or a nation (consider Ezekiel 32). Same with the apparent and very temporary prosperity of the wicked, no Christian should then fret about or envy those whose prosperity came at the expense of others. “For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

Vs. 21-22 ²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; ²² For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Fearing the Lord and the king (as the one who holds the office He established to govern us, (and thus we respect the office, if not the man holding it), and so we as Christians are to give honor and respect to whom it is due, whether kings or rulers or various government and civil authorities and officials (consider Matt. 22:15-22; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; antithesis Jude 5-19). Therefore, we are here warned not to associate with those given to change, who want to usurp God’s Word and rebel against it by rebelling against these established authorities who are to govern us all, whether inside or outside of the church. Now this does not mean that we agree with all that they do, since we who believe in Jesus Christ all have God’s Word and we have Spiritual discernment so we can know what is good and what is evil. And so, it may be necessary at times to take our stand with the Lord Jesus Christ and oppose those who use their God given authority for doing evil, or who try to compel us, or some else to do the same. Now how we do this is most critical, for we are never called to sow dissent in our assemblies, or to be involved in lawless civil uprisings, or evil rebellions, nor should we be involved in needless conflicts and wars etc., for we are all called to peace, to above all to seek the peace and welfare and welling of all, and thus live peaceably with all people as much as depends on us. Something that is not seen when one uses one’s civil liberties and rights to trample all over another’s. Finally, pursuing peace with all people is not forsaking ones own right to self defense against hostile aggression or tyranny, but again those things must be decided individually, and must be done with a clear conscience towards the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. 

Vs. 23-25 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. ²⁴ He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. ²⁵ But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.

Showing partiality in judgment, (i.e., favoring one above another) based on social or economic status or clout, or lack thereof, or race or gender or nationality, or whatever else causes one to favor one above another, and not base ones decisions (i.e., judgements) on facts or merits etc., is not becoming a Godly ruler or leader, or anyone professing faith in Jesus Christ (Consider Deut. 10:17; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Tim. 5:21; James 2:9; 3:17; 1 Peter 1:17 etc.). In the same vein justifying before others those who are doing wickedly will have neither the favor of God or man. Indeed, we are all called to rebuke the wicked if we want to have a good blessing come upon us.

Vs. 26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. 

A well thought out answer is likened to a kiss on the lips. Thus, the one who does so is greatly appreciated for doing so.

Vs. 27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.

Getting one’s life (and career) in order is foundational to building a long and lasting marriage.

Vs. 28-29 ²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips? ²⁹ Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

People who bear false witness against others will one day bear their guilt before God. Therefore, if one is slandered or lied about one should not retaliate by doing the same. God is our Judge and He will not justify the wicked who do so (Ex. 20:16; 23:7; Psalm 50:20-21).

Vs. 30-34 ³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; ³¹ And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. ³² When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; ³⁴ So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

Here we are given a graphic picture of the consequences of being lazy, of being Spiritually idle. And so, the once fruitful vineyard has by idleness now become overgrown with thorns and nettles (in the Spiritual realm this would be sin), and the once protective wall (i.e., the Word of God and one’s faith in it and application of it), has now become broken down; broken down by the cultural lies and philosophies and ideals and pursuits of this world (Luke 8:14). Now this did not happen all at once, but as it were by a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to “rest”, So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. Therefore taking a “little” time away from one’s faith, is not only time and opportunity lost, but quite possibly one’s faith forever lost! Don’t do it! (Consider Matt. 25:1-13; 1 Thess. 5:1-8).

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Note: Verses commentary (Vs. 30-34) was inspired by Believers Bible Commentary 34:30-34.

Proverbs 23:1–35

¹ When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; ² And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. ³ Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. ⁴ Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! ⁵ Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. ⁶ Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; ⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. ⁸ The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. ⁹ Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. ¹⁰ Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; ¹¹ For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. ¹² Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. ¹³ Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. ¹⁴ You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. ¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; ¹⁶ Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. ¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; ¹⁸ For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. ¹⁹ Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. ²⁰ Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; ²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. ²² Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. ²³ Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. ²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. ²⁵ Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. ²⁶ My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. ²⁷ For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. ²⁸ She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. ²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? ³⁰ Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. ³¹ Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; ³² At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. ³³ Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. ³⁴ Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ³⁵ “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

Commentary 

Vs. 1-3 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; ² And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. ³ Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. 

Here we are cautioned about being enraptured with the wealth and privileges of the elite, of yielding to our own lusts and desires when we are brought before them, before the rulers and rich of this world and age. Because to all of them we are just a mere pawn to be used in their desires service. And so being invited to their table is never done out of friendship or love for us, but rather they only do such things to try to sway us into serving their own interests, desires, and designs, as well as to blind us to the consequences of doing so. And so being invited to their “generous” table is like being fattened up before the slaughter, before they make a “request” of us to do or say something which again will only serve their own designs or desires, but very well may cost us dearly in the end. Do not then become enraptured with either their person or their table, for again we as ordinary people are only a mere pawn to them, whom they will abandon to our own fate when things go astray, if you allow yourselves to get involved with them and their deceitful ways. 

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! ⁵ Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 

Though there is profit in all labor, in working to provide for oneself and family, there is no profit in overworking to be rich, in living for and the striving for temporary wealth, which always comes at the expense of one’s person and life and soul. For as Jesus warns us all, “No one can serve God and money, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other”, you cannot serve God and mammon!  (see Matt. 6:24). Therefore, what will it profit you if you gain the whole world but loose your own soul (Mark 8:36-39). For as the Scripture warns turning aside from God and chasing temporary and uncertain riches, that only make themselves wings and fly toward heaven, will not profit or deliver you on the Day of wrath (Psalm 49:6-9), but will only set you on a course that will lead you far away from God, far away from your once most cherished relationships, far away from contentment and peace and love, for all that is of this world is nothing (1 Sam. 12:21). Therefore don’t trade your eternal place and riches with Christ for the temporary pursuit of them.

Vs. 6-8 ⁶ Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; ⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. ⁸ The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. 

Here we are warned about eating at the table of a miser; of a person who skimps on everything. For though you may go to their table in joy, just as one should when invited to someone’s house for dinner, truly they have no joy in sharing with you. Indeed, though they invite you to eat and drink with them, yet they will scrupulously watch everything that you eat and drink at their table and soon you will begin to realize that, that they have no joy in hosting and sharing with you, or anyone else, as little looks and comments about how much is being consumed begin to subtly come out. And so, all of your gracious words that you have spoken in their hearing will all be wasted as their mood will soon turn sour against you, and you feeling their displeasure will vomit up the meal you have eaten, that is you will wish that you had not taken up a seat with them at their “generous” table, for your far better off to stay at home and go hungry then to eat there and go through that. That said, hosting people is a joy and privilege, for it is a great time of enjoying each others company, and of celebrating and sharing God’s bountifully blessings that He has given to us all. Yet to the miser it is only a burden that they must grudgingly bear, that they should have to share with their guests, or even their family. Therefore, if you can avoid doing do so, do so, for the experience will leave a bad taste in your mouth long after that “meal” is gone.

Vs. 9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. 

Speaking in the hearing of the fool and sharing wise counsel with them, especially God’s counsels, is like casting one’s pearls before swine, (consider Matt. 7:6). Therefore don’t do it, for they will not receive your words, instead they will only despise the wisdom of them, because by them their foolish beliefs and behavior becomes known to them. 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; ¹¹ For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. 

Once again, we are warned about dealing unjustly, about removing ancient landmarks (see Pr. 22:28) so as to expand our own territory, or seizing land or produce from the fatherless, i.e., entering the fields of the poor and defenseless who cannot pay their debt. For God is their Redeemer and He will plead their case against you (James 2:5-7).

Note: In ancient times a near relative could act as one’s redeemer to buy back or redeem either their person or their land if they themselves were not able. Yet this Biblical principal is far more reaching than that (see Lev 25:29-34, 47-55; 2 Sam. 7:23; Psalm 72:12-14; 119:154; Jer. 15:21; Hosea 13:14; Titus 2:11-15). 

Vs. 12 Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.

The appeal to receive God's instruction and to listen to words of knowledge can never be overstated. 

Vs. 13-14 ¹³ Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. ¹⁴ You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. 

By this Proverb we see the virtuous results of corporal punishment when done in love and not in anger, to bring about a child's correction. That said this passage must never be used as a guise as doing good by those twisted individuals who would use it to justify abusing children, either their own or another's. 

Vs. 15-16 ¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; ¹⁶ Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. 

A father has no greater joy then to know his own son conducts himself wisely, and when he speaks right things, Godly and true things, and thus does not regurgitate through his own mouth the moral lies and falsehoods of this world. 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; ¹⁸ For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. 

In the Book of Job, through Jobs experiences and his own words we learn that the wicked do not always get what they deserve, that sometimes it is the righteous who are afflicted and terribly mistreated (Psalm 34:19; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 5:10-11; 1 Peter 4:12-19 etc.) and that sometimes it is those who are living sinful and wicked lives who are prosperous and at ease (Psalm 73:1-28; Jer. 12:1-2; Malachi 3:15 etc.). Nonetheless as the Scripture makes it clear here and elsewhere God’s eyes are always on their ways, and when He deems the time is right, He will repay them and reward everyone who is faithful to Him (Job 24:22-25; Psalm 1:1-6; 37:1-2; 58:1-11; 59:8-10; 92:7; 112:1-10; Prov. 15:3; 24:19-20; Lam. 3:22-41 etc.). Our hope then is that the Lord is a God of justice, for truly there will be resurrection of the just and the unjust by which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will be our Judge (John 5:24). Therefore we must never envy the temporary prosperity and ease of those who are now living wicked lives because their end no will envy then!  

Vs. 19 Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 

Once again, a caring father exhorts his son to keep to pathway of life. For listening to God’s counsels in His Word will always guide you safely home (Psalm 119:105, 140, 160; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12). 

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; ²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. 

The choosing of one’s friends, and or choosing who one socializes with is a simple but often overlooked virtue of wisdom. Because inevitably you will be drawn into their manner of life, whether good or evil. Therefore we are here exhorted to stay clear of those given to excesses, not to eat and drink with them, for they're manner of life will always squander whatever resources that they have on their excesses.

Vs. 22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 

Growing up and moving into adulthood and beyond never means shunning the life wisdom of your parents. 

Vs. 23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 

In this wayward and demonically influenced and swayed world, if we want to stay loyal to God we must always cherish and hold fast to His Words truths, for it is only by it that we get unadulterated wisdom and instruction and understanding. Buying His wisdom and seeking His Words truth should be our highest treasure! Now how we buy His Words wisdom and truth is by our investing our own time in it, in studying it, and seeking to live it out. 

Vs. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 

How can they not, since their child not only bears their family name well, but they also bring to them a good name as being sound people and parents. And that’s just one of the many blessings and joys of rearing a righteous child that will come to you. Another is that having a wise child will not only mean that they will keep themselves out of all sorts of sorrows and troubles, but you yourselves will also have a much more peaceful and prosperous and delightful life! Don’t then take shortcuts in your parenting role, and don’t turn that most crucial God given life role over to others. Take the time to do the job right and then reap all benefits and rewards of having done so. 

Vs. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. 

From the parents’ responsibilities in the previous proverb the Scripture now moves to the child’s, that children, even adult children should seek to bring joy to their parents’ lives by living wise and gracious lives. 

Vs. 26-28 ²⁶ My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. ²⁷ For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. ²⁸ She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. 

Here the loving father warns his son about the immoral women, the harlot who finds her pleasure in luring another victim to her bed of sin, that getting involved with her is like being trapped in a narrow well! Nothing good then comes out of being involved with her, for her whole life is about finding then luring another lover. For it is by these that she finds her self-worth and pleasure. 

Vs. 29-35 ²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? ³⁰ Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. ³¹ Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; ³² At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. ³³ Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. ³⁴ Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ³⁵ “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

 This last section deals with the many sorrows and woes that come with the abuse of alcohol, that come to those who think they can tame it. And so, it begins by asking who has sorrow, who has complaints, who has wounds without cause, who has redness of eyes, all those whose lives revolve around alcohol and its consumption (vs. 29-30). Starting then in verse thirty-one the Scripture warns about its allure, warning that though it appears desirable at the first (like the harlot), at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper (vs. 32). Indeed, it will cause your eyes to see strange things and your mouth to utter all kinds of perverse things (vs. 33). And not only will it make you sound foolish, but it will also embolden you to do all kinds of foolish and reckless and dangerous things. And so, you will only end up as the bruised and beaten drunk, who fears nothing and ultimately does nothing of significance, except to bring more and more wounds and dishonor to himself, through his drunken stupors (vs. 34-35).

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.