Proverbs 23:31–35

31 Don’t gaze at wine because it is red,a

because it gleams in the cup

and goes down smoothly.b

32 In the end it bites like a snake

and stings like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see strange things,

and you will say absurd things.B,c

34 You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea

or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast.

35 “They struck me, butC I feel no pain!

They beat me, but I didn’t know it!d

When will I wake up?

I’ll look for another drink.”e