1 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler, carefully think about what is before you. ISV — Proverbs 23:1
2 Put a knife to your own throat, if you have a big appetite. a23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite ISV — Proverbs 23:2
3 Don’t crave his delicacies, because the meal is deceptive. ISV — Proverbs 23:3
4 Don’t exhaust yourself acquiring wealth; be smart enough to stop. ISV — Proverbs 23:4
5 When you fix your gaze on it, it’s gone, for it sprouts wings for itself and flies to the sky like an eagle. ISV — Proverbs 23:5
6 Don’t consume food provided by a miserly b23:6 Lit. by the evil eyed person, and don’t desire his delicacies, ISV — Proverbs 23:6
7 for as he thinks within himself, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he’ll say to you, but his heart won’t be with you. ISV — Proverbs 23:7
8 You’ll vomit up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will have been wasted. ISV — Proverbs 23:8
9 Don’t speak when a fool is listening, because he’ll despise your wise words. ISV — Proverbs 23:9
10 Don’t move ancient boundaries or invade fields belonging to orphans; ISV — Proverbs 23:10
11 for strong is their Redeemer who will take up their case against you. ISV — Proverbs 23:11
12 Learn diligently, and listen to words of knowledge. ISV — Proverbs 23:12
13 Don’t withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with a rod, he won’t die. ISV — Proverbs 23:13
14 Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his soul from Sheol. c23:14 i.e. the realm of the dead. ISV — Proverbs 23:14
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will greatly rejoice. ISV — Proverbs 23:15
16 My innermost being will be glad when your lips speak what is right. ISV — Proverbs 23:16
17 Never let yourself envy sinners; instead, remain d23:17 The Heb. lacks remain in fear of the LORD every day, ISV — Proverbs 23:17
18 for there is surely a future life, and what you hope for will not be cut off. ISV — Proverbs 23:18
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, commit yourself to live God’s e23:19 Lit. live in the way. ISV — Proverbs 23:19
20 Don’t associate with heavy drinkers or dine with gluttons, ISV — Proverbs 23:20
21 because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. ISV — Proverbs 23:21
22 Listen to the one who fathered you, and don’t despise your mother in her old age. ISV — Proverbs 23:22
23 Purchase truth, but don’t sell it; store up f23:23 The Heb. lacks store up wisdom, instruction, and understanding. ISV — Proverbs 23:23
24 The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice; whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him. ISV — Proverbs 23:24
25 Let your father and mother rejoice; make the one who gave birth to you happy. ISV — Proverbs 23:25
26 Give me your heart, my son, and keep your eyes fixed on my ways, ISV — Proverbs 23:26
27 because a prostitute is a deep pit, and the adulterous g23:27 Lit. foreign woman a narrow well. ISV — Proverbs 23:27
28 Surely she lies in wait like a bandit, increasing those who are faithless among mankind. ISV — Proverbs 23:28
29 Who has woe? Who has grief? Who has contention? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has bloodshot eyes? ISV — Proverbs 23:29
30 Those who linger over their wine, who consume mixed drinks. ISV — Proverbs 23:30
31 Don’t stare into red wine, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. ISV — Proverbs 23:31
32 Eventually it will bite like a snake and sting like a serpent. ISV — Proverbs 23:32
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and with slurred words you’ll speak what you really believe. ISV — Proverbs 23:33
34 You will be like someone who lies down in the sea, or like someone who sleeps on top of a mast. ISV — Proverbs 23:34
35 “They struck me,” you will say, h23:35 The Heb. lacks you will say “but I never felt it. They beat me, but I never knew it When will I wake up? I want another drink.” ISV — Proverbs 23:35