Proverbs 23 / 31
- 1When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
- 2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
- 3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
- 4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
- 5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
- 6Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
- 7for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
- 8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
- 9Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
- 10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
- 11for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
- 12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
- 13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
- 14Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
- 15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
- 16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
- 17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD .
- 18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
- 19Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
- 20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
- 21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
- 22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
- 23Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
- 24The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
- 25May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
- 26My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
- 27for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
- 28Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
- 29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
- 30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
- 31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
- 32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
- 33Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
- 34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
- 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?"