Proverbs 23:29-32 (ESV)
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try 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 bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
The sinful woman of Saying 19 seduces her prey the same way wine lures its victims. Like an immoral woman, wine sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. The one who drinks much, tarrying long over wine, is left with emotional pain, relational strife, even physical consequences, such as bloodshot eyes and bruises from a drunken brawl. Though wine may look and even taste good, it has the potential to ruin lives. The good father warns his wise son about the dangers associated with alcohol, advising him to reject any fascination with wine. Alcohol is addictive. Many foolish choices, unwise decisions, and negative, life-altering experiences have resulted from drinking alcohol. Like a snake, even a poisonous snake, alcohol conceals its deadly power in beautiful beverages, but when the drinker gets too close, spending too much time with the bottle, the bite proves deadly. When using alcohol, exercise extreme caution, or avoid it all together.