Proverbs 23:1-21 ▼

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

2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a person of great appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food.

4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth; Stop dwelling on it.

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

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

7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten And waste your compliments.

9 Do not speak to be heard by a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not move the ancient boundary Or go into the fields of the fatherless,

11 For their Redeemer is strong; 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 a child; Though you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.

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

16 And my innermost being will rejoice When your lips speak what is right.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the LORD always.

18 Certainly there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

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

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

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