Proverbs 23
1When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
consider carefully what is before you,2
3and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;4
5don’t desire his choice food, for that food is deceptive.6
7Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; because you know better, stop!8
9As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.10
11Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food,12
13for it’s like someone calculating inwardly. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.14
15You will vomit the little you’ve eaten and waste your pleasant words.16
17Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.18
19Don’t move an ancient boundary marker, and don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,20
21for their Redeemer is strong, and he will champion their cause against you.22
23Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.24
25Don’t withhold discipline from a youth; if you punish him with a rod, he will not die.26
27Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from Sheol.28
29My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.30
31My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.32
33Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord.34
35For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.36
37Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.38
39Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.40
41For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.42
43Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.44
45Buy — and do not sell — truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.46
47The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.48
49Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.50
51My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.52
53For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward woman is a narrow well;54
55indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.56
57Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?58
59Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine.60
61Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.62
63In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.64
65Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.66
67You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast.68
69“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn’t know it! When will I wake up? I’ll look for another drink.”70
3and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;4
5don’t desire his choice food, for that food is deceptive.6
7Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; because you know better, stop!8
9As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.10
11Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food,12
13for it’s like someone calculating inwardly. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.14
15You will vomit the little you’ve eaten and waste your pleasant words.16
17Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.18
19Don’t move an ancient boundary marker, and don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,20
21for their Redeemer is strong, and he will champion their cause against you.22
23Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.24
25Don’t withhold discipline from a youth; if you punish him with a rod, he will not die.26
27Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from Sheol.28
29My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.30
31My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.32
33Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord.34
35For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.36
37Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.38
39Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.40
41For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.42
43Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.44
45Buy — and do not sell — truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.46
47The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.48
49Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.50
51My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.52
53For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward woman is a narrow well;54
55indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.56
57Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?58
59Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine.60
61Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.62
63In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.64
65Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.66
67You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast.68
69“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn’t know it! When will I wake up? I’ll look for another drink.”70