Proverbs 23

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v1

When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;

v2

put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.

v3

Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.

v4

Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.

v5

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

v6

Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies:

v7

for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

v8

The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.

v9

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

v10

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

v11

for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.

v12

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

v13

Don’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

v14

Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.

v15

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine.

v16

Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

v17

Don’t let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear Yahweh all day long.

v18

Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.

v19

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!

v20

Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:

v21

for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

v22

Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

v23

Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

v24

The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.

v25

Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!

v26

My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.

v27

For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

v28

Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.

v29

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

v30

Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.

v31

Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

v32

In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.

v33

Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

v34

Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:

v35

“They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another.”


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