Proverbs 23

Saying 7 1When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what’s in front of you.

2Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.

3Don’t long for his fancy food. It can fool you.

Saying 8 4Don’t wear yourself out to get rich. Don’t trust how wise you think you are.

5When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone. They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle.

Saying 9 6Don’t eat the food of anyone who doesn’t want to share it. Don’t long for his fancy food.

7He is the kind of person who is always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” he says to you. But he doesn’t mean it.

8You will throw up what little you have eaten. You will have wasted your words of praise.

Saying 10 9Don’t speak to foolish people. They will laugh at your wise words.

Saying 11 10Don’t move old boundary stones. Don’t try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died.

11That’s because the God who guards them is strong. He will stand up for them in court against you.

Saying 12 12Apply your heart to what you are taught. Listen carefully to words of knowledge.

Saying 13 13Don’t hold back correction from a child. If you correct them, they won’t die.

14So correct them. Then you will save them from death.

Saying 14 15My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be very glad.

16Deep down inside, I will be happy when you say what is right.

Saying 15 17Do not long for what sinners have. But always show great respect for the LORD .

18There really is hope for you in days to come. So your hope will not be cut off.

Saying 16 19My son, listen and be wise. Set your heart on the right path.

20Don’t join those who drink too much wine. Don’t join those who stuff themselves with meat.

21Those who drink or eat too much will become poor. If they sleep too much, they’ll have to wear rags.

Saying 17 22Listen to your father, who gave you life. Don’t hate your mother when she is old.

23Buy the truth and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, instruction and understanding as well.

24The father of a godly child is very happy. A man who has a wise son is glad.

25May your father and mother be glad. May the woman who gave birth to you be joyful.

Saying 18 26My son, give me your heart. May you be happy living the way you see me live.

27An unfaithful wife is like a deep pit. A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well.

28She hides and waits like a thief. She causes many men to sin.

Saying 19 29Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who argues? Who has problems? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?

30Those who spend too much time with wine. Or those who like to taste wine mixed with spices.

31Don’t look at wine when it is red. Don’t look at it when it bubbles in the cup. And don’t look at it when it goes down smoothly.

32In the end it bites like a snake. It bites like a poisonous serpent.

33Your eyes will see strange sights. Your mind will imagine weird things.

34You will feel like someone sleeping on the ocean. You will think you are lying among the ropes in a boat. 35“They hit me,” you will say. “But I’m not hurt! They beat me. But I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”