Proverbs - Chapter 23 | New International Version

  • 1. When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
  • 2. and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
  • 3. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
  • 4. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
  • 5. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
  • 6. Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
  • 7. for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
  • 8. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
  • 9. Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
  • 10. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
  • 11. for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
  • 12. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
  • 13. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
  • 14. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
  • 15. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
  • 16. my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
  • 17. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
  • 18. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
  • 19. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep 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; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
  • 24. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
  • 25. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
  • 26. My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
  • 27. for a prostitute 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.
  • 29. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
  • 30. Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
  • 31. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
  • 32. In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
  • 33. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
  • 34. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
  • 35. They hit me, you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
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