| 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." |
