Proverbs 23

Chapter 23

1 While dining with a ruler,
pay attention to what is put before you.2 If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;3 don’t desire all the delicacies,
for he might be trying to trick you.4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.6 Don’t eat with people who are stingy;
don’t desire their delicacies.7 They are always thinking about how much it costs.t
“Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.8 You will throw up what little you’ve eaten,
and your compliments will be wasted.9 Don’t waste your breath on fools,
for they will despise the wisest advice.10 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;
don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.11 For their Redeemert is strong;
he himself will bring their charges against you.12 Commit yourself to instruction;
listen carefully to words of knowledge.13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.
They won’t die if you spank them.14 Physical discipline
may well save them from death.t15 My child,t if your heart is wise,
my own heart will rejoice!16 Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.17 Don’t envy sinners,
but always continue to fear the LORD.18 You will be rewarded for this;
your hope will not be disappointed.19 My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course.20 Do not carouse with drunkards
or feast with gluttons,21 for they are on their way to poverty,
and too much sleep clothes them in rags.22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.23 Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.t25 So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.26 O my son, give me your heart.
May your eyes take delight in following my ways.27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap;
a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.28 She hides and waits like a robber,
eager to make more men unfaithful.29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper.33 You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.
I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?”

PROVERBS 23

–6–

1 When you are invited
to eat with a king,
use your best manners.

2 Don't go and stuff yourself!
That would be just the same
as cutting your throat.

3 Don't be greedy for all
of that fancy food!
It may not be so tasty.

–7–

4 Give up trying so hard
to get rich.

5 Your money flies away
before you know it,
just like an eagle
suddenly taking off.

–8–

6 Don't accept an invitation
to eat a selfish person's food,
no matter how good it is.

7 People like that take note
of how much you eat.t
They say, “Take all you want!”
But they don't mean it.

8 Each bite will come back up,
and all your kind words
will be wasted.

–9–

9 Don't talk to fools—
they will make fun of you.

–10–

10 Don't move a boundary markert
or take the land
that belongs to orphans.

11 God All-Powerful is there
to defend them against you.

–11–

12 Listen to instruction
and do your best to learn.

–12–

13 Don't fail to correct
your children.
You won't kill them
by being firm,

14 and it may even
save their lives.

–13–

15 My children,
if you show good sense,
I will be happy,

16 and if you are truthful,
I will really be glad.

–14–

17 Don't be jealous of sinners,
but always honor the [Lord].

18 Then you will truly have hope
for the future.

–15–

19 Listen to me, my children!
Be wise and have enough sense
to follow the right path.

20 Don't be a heavy drinker
or stuff yourself with food.

21 It will make you feel drowsy,
and you will end up poor
with only rags to wear.

–16–

22 Pay attention to your father,
and don't neglect your mother
when she grows old.

23 Invest in truth and wisdom,
discipline and good sense,
and don't part with them.

24 Make your father truly happy
by living right and showing
sound judgment.

25 Make your parents proud,
especially your mother.

–17–

26 My son, pay close attention,
and gladly follow
my example.

27 Bad women and unfaithful wives
are like a deep pit—

28 they are waiting to attack you
like a gang of robbers
with victim after victim.

–18–

29 Who is always in trouble?
Who argues and fights?
Who has cuts and bruises?
Whose eyes are red?

30 Everyone who stays up late,
having just one more drink.

31 Don't even look
at that colorful stuff
bubbling up in the glass!
It goes down so easily,

32 but later it bites
like a poisonous snake.

33 You will see weird things,
and your mind
will play tricks on you.

34 You will feel tossed about
like someone trying to sleep
on a ship in a storm.

35 You will be bruised all over,
without even remembering
how it all happened.
And you will lie awake asking,
“When will morning come,
so I can drink some more?”