Proverbs 23:1-14 ▼

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:

2 And put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

4 Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.

5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

6 Eat you not the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire you his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, said he to you; but his heart is not with you.

8 The morsel which you have eaten shall you vomit up, and lose your sweet words.

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell.