Proverbs 23:1-21 ▼

1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is [set] before you;

2 For you will put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].

4 Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth; Cease from your own understanding of it.

5 When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates]. He says to you, “Eat and drink,” Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

8 The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, And you will waste your compliments.

9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

10 Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property] And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs],

11 For their Redeemer is strong and mighty; He will plead their case against you.

12 Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold discipline from the child; If you swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.

14 You shall swat him with the reed-like rod And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

15 My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will also be glad;

16 Yes, my heart will rejoice When your lips speak right things.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD day by day.

18 Surely there is a future [and a reward], And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.

19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way [of the LORD].

20 Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat,

21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.