Proverbs 23:15-24:5 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
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?” |
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; |