THE BIBLE
Proverbs
Chapter 23

23:1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before you;
23:2 Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.
23:3 Don't be desirous of his dainties, Seeing they are deceitful food.
23:4 Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
23:5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
23:6 Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, And don't crave his delicacies:
23:7 For as he thinks about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
23:8 The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, And lose your good words.
23:9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
23:10 Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
23:11 For their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.
23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to the words of knowledge.
23:13 Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
23:14 Punish him with the rod, And save his soul from Sheol.
23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, Then my heart will be glad, even mine:
23:16 Yes, my heart will rejoice, When your lips speak what is right.
23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; But rather fear Yahweh all the day long.
23:18 Indeed surely there is a future hope, And your hope will not be cut off.
23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And keep your heart on the right path!
23:20 Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, Or those who gorge themselves on meat:
23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; And drowsiness clothes them in rags.
23:22 Listen to your father who gave you life, And don't despise your mother when she is old.
23:23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it: Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
23:24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!
23:26 My son, give me your heart; And let your eyes keep in my ways.
23:27 For a prostitute is a deep pit; And a wayward wife is a narrow well.
23:28 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, And increases the unfaithful among men.
23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
23:30 Those who stay long at the wine; Those who go to seek out mixed wine.
23:31 Don't look at the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly:
23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake, And poisons like a viper.
23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your mind will imagine confusing things.
23:34 Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
23:35 "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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