Home Master Index
←Prev   Proverbs 23 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


23:1  Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler, carefully think about what is before you.
23:2  Put a knife to your own throat, if you have a big appetite.
23:3  Don't crave his delicacies, because the meal is deceptive.
23:4  Don't exhaust yourself acquiring wealth; be smart enough to stop.
23:5  When you fix your gaze on it, it's gone, for it sprouts wings for itself and flies to the sky like an eagle.
23:6  Don't consume food provided by a miserly person, and don't desire his delicacies,
23:7  for as he thinks within himself, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he'll say to you, but his heart won't be with you.
23:8  You'll vomit up what little you've eaten, and your compliments will have been wasted.
23:9  Don't speak when a fool is listening, because he'll despise your wise words.
23:10  Don't move ancient boundaries or invade fields belonging to orphans;
23:11  for strong is their Redeemer who will take up their case against you.
23:12  Learn diligently, and listen to words of knowledge.
23:13  Don't withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with a rod, he won't die.
23:14  Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his soul from Sheol.
23:15  My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will greatly rejoice.
23:16  My innermost being will be glad when your lips speak what is right.
23:17  Never let yourself envy sinners; instead, remain in fear of the LORD every day,
23:18  for there is surely a future life, and what you hope for will not be cut off.
23:19  Listen, my son, and be wise, commit yourself to live God's way.
23:20  Don't associate with heavy drinkers or dine with gluttons,
23:21  because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.
23:22  Listen to the one who fathered you, and don't despise your mother in her old age.
23:23  Purchase truth, but don't sell it; store up wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
23:24  The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice; whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him.
23:25  Let your father and mother rejoice; make the one who gave birth to you happy.
23:26  Give me your heart, my son, and keep your eyes fixed on my ways,
23:27  because a prostitute is a deep pit, and the adulterous woman a narrow well.
23:28  Surely she lies in wait like a bandit, increasing those who are faithless among mankind.
23:29  Who has woe? Who has grief? Who has contention? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has bloodshot eyes?
23:30  Those who linger over their wine, who consume mixed drinks.
23:31  Don't stare into red wine, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
23:32  Eventually it will bite like a snake and sting like a serpent.
23:33  Your eyes will see strange things, and with slurred words you'll speak what you really believe.
23:34  You will be like someone who lies down in the sea, or like someone who sleeps on top of a mast.
23:35  "They struck me," you will say, "but I never felt it. They beat me, but I never knew it When will I wake up? I want another drink."