19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it– wisdom, instruction and insight as well. 24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. 25 May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! 26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, 27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 28 Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men. (Prov. 23:19-28 NIV)
19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
The Teacher returns to his advice to the young man to encourage him to be wise and set his feet on the right path. The right path begins with the fear of the Lord. On the right path you constantly search for wisdom. The right path should keep him away from drunkards and gluttons. Their over-indulgence leads to poverty, and their sleepy lifestyle means that they no longer have the ability to earn and so are clothed in rags.
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
may she who gave you birth be joyful!
The young man is urged to listen to the advice of his father who give him life. As his mother grows old he is not to despise her. It is good to remember the years that parents have put in to raise their family. The wisdom that we learn as we grow up owes a lot to the principles that were taught by parents. We should not sell that truth. Times change and each generation is faced with new ideas but most life principles remain the same. Do not easily and lightly give up the wisdom that you were taught as a child. Parents rejoice when they see their children following a righteous pathway. The Teacher encourages the young man to give his parents every reason to rejoice.
26 My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways,
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
The Teacher asks for the young man’s heart. He means that he wants his heart to be set on wisdom and that he gives himself wholeheartedly to that. The young man is called to delight in the way of wisdom. He is to set his eyes on it and delight in the way of the Lord. Of course there are always dangers lying ahead to entrap a young man, like an adulterous woman or some man’s wayward wife. These traps are like bandits lying in wait to entice and entrap a young man who takes his eyes of the way of righteousness, allowing his eyes to stray in the direction of an adulterous woman.
Prayer
Lord help us to love righteousness and to take delight in serving You and staying on the righteous path. Lead us by Your hand and guide us along the pathway in life, because we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.