Proverbs 23
23
Saying 7
1When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what#23:1 Or who is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
3Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.
Saying 8
4Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Saying 9
6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
do not crave his delicacies;
7for he is the kind of person
who is always thinking about the cost.#23:7 Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
Saying 10
9Do not speak to fools,
for they will scorn your prudent words.
Saying 11
10Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.
Saying 12
12Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.
Saying 14
15My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
16my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
Saying 15
17Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
20Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
21for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Saying 17
22Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
24The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25May your father and mother rejoice;
may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Saying 18
26My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways,
27for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28Like a bandit she lies in wait
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
Saying 19
29Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34You 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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Proverbs 23: NIV
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 23
23
— 6 —
1When you sit and eat with an important person, remember who you are with. 2Never eat too much, even if you are very hungry. 3Don’t eat too much of his fine food. It might be a trick.
— 7 —
4Don’t ruin your health trying to get rich. If you are smart, you will give it up. 5In the blink of an eye, money can disappear, as if it grew wings and flew away like a bird.
— 8 —
6Don’t eat with selfish people. Control any desire you have for their finest foods. 7They might tell you to eat and drink all you want, but they don’t really mean it. They are the kind of people who are only thinking about the cost. 8And if you eat their food, you will get sick and be embarrassed.
— 9 —
9Don’t try to teach fools. They will make fun of your wise words.
— 10 —
10Never move an old property line, and don’t take land that belongs to orphans. 11The Lord will be against you. He is powerful and protects orphans.
— 11 —
12Listen to your teacher and learn all you can.
— 12 —
13Always correct children when they need it. If you spank them, it will not kill them. 14In fact, you might save their lives.
— 13 —
15My son, it makes me happy when you make a wise decision. 16It makes me feel good inside when you say the right things.
— 14 —
17Never envy evil people, but always respect the Lord. 18This will give you something to hope for that will not disappoint you.
— 15 —
19So listen, my son, and be wise. Always be careful to follow the right path. 20Don’t make friends with people who drink too much wine and eat too much food. 21Those who eat and drink too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.
— 16 —
22Listen to your father. Without him, you would never have been born. Respect your mother, even when she is old. 23Truth, wisdom, learning, and understanding are worth paying money for. They are worth far too much to ever sell. 24The father of a good person is very happy. A wise child brings him joy. 25Make both of your parents happy. Give your mother that same joy.
— 17 —
26My son, listen closely to what I am saying. Let my life be your example. 27Prostitutes and bad women are a trap. They are like a deep well that you cannot escape. 28A bad woman waits for you like a thief, and she causes many men to be unfaithful to their wives.
— 18 —
29-30Who gets into fights and arguments? Who gets hurt for no reason and has red, bloodshot eyes? People who stay out too late drinking wine, staring into their strong drinks.
31So be careful with wine. It is pretty and red as it sparkles in the cup. And it goes down so smoothly when you drink it. 32But in the end, it will bite like a snake.
33Wine will cause you to see strange things and to say things that make no sense. 34When you lie down, you will think you are on a rough sea and feel like you are at the top of the mast. 35You will say, “They hit me, but I never felt it. They beat me, but I don’t remember it. Now I can’t wake up. I need another drink.”
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