Proverbs 23:1-14 ▼

1 When thou sittest to eate with a noble man, consider diligently what is set before thee.

2 Measure thyne appetite if it be gredyly set.

3 Be not desirous of his daintie meates, for meate begyleth and deceaueth.

4 Take not ouer great trauayle to be riche, beware of suche a purpose.

5 Wylt thou set thyne eye vpon the thing which sodenly vanisheth away? For riches make them selues wynges, and take their flight lyke an Egle into the ayre.

6 Eate thou not the bread of hym that hath an euyll eye: neither desire thou his daintie meate.

7 For as though he thought it in his heart, he saith, eate and drinke: where as his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsels that thou hast eaten shalt thou parbreake, and loose those sweete wordes.

9 Tell nothing into the eares of a foole: for he wyll despise the wysdome of thy wordes.

10 Remoue not the olde lande marke, and come not within the fielde of the fatherlesse:

11 For their redeemer is mightie, euen he shall defend their cause against thee.

12 Applye thyne heart vnto correction, and thyne eare to the wordes of knowledge.

13 Withholde not correction from the chylde: for if thou beatest hym with the rodde, he shall not dye thereof:

14 If thou smyte hym with the rodde, thou shalt deliuer his soule from hell.