SET YOUR HEART ON THE RIGHT PATH

Passage: Proverbs 23:19-35

Key verse: 19

NIV

Saying 16

19 Listen, my son,(A) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine(B)
    or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,(C)
    and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Saying 17

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.(D)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.(E)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.(F)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(G)

Saying 18

26 My son,(H) give me your heart
    and let your eyes delight in my ways,(I)
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,(J)
    and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait(K)
    and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Saying 19

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaints?
    Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,(L)
    who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
    and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
    and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 You 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?”(M)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

19 Hear, my son, and (A)be wise,
    and (B)direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among (C)drunkards[a]
    or among (D)gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and (E)slumber will clothe them with rags.

22 (F)Listen to your father who gave you life,
    (G)and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 (H)Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 (I)The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25 (J)Let your father and mother be glad;
    let (K)her who bore you rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe[b] my ways.
27 For a prostitute is (L)a deep pit;
    (M)an adulteress[c] is a narrow (N)well.
28 (O)She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

29 (P)Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has (Q)wounds without cause?
    Who has (R)redness of eyes?
30 Those who (S)tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try (T)mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it (U)bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter (V)perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.[d]
35 “They (W)struck me,” you will say,[e] “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
    I (X)must have another drink.”

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 23:20 Hebrew those who drink too much wine
  2. Proverbs 23:26 Or delight in
  3. Proverbs 23:27 Hebrew a foreign woman
  4. Proverbs 23:34 Or of the rigging
  5. Proverbs 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Saying 16 teaches us to set our hearts on the right path and live wisely. Many start off well in seeking God, but they can stumble because of very simple desires for alcohol and pleasure. The teacher expands on these in Sayings 17, 18, and 19.

Saying 17 teaches us to honor our parents. When we remember our father and mother and think of all the sacrifices they have made for us, we want to make them happy. We want to live nobly and honorably to make them proud. Remembering our parents (and shepherds) and honoring them protects us from sinful ways. It’s also a reflection of how we fear God and remember his grace.

Saying 18 warns us against adultery. Though we know adultery is wrong, the temptation to give into adultery is far stronger than us. We must repent and decide not to even look lustfully at another person. Committing adultery is like falling into a pit of destruction that ruins our lives and our family.

Saying 19 describes a drunkard’s life so well. Many great people give into the overwhelming temptation to drink alcohol to relieve their stress and tragically end up addicted (35). Their lives and families are devastated.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who saves me from every temptation. Lord, lead me on paths of righteousness for your name’s sake (Ps 23:3).

One Word: Set my heart on the right path