Proverbs 23:1-35 WEB

[1] When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; [2] put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. [3] Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food. [4] Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. [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. [6] Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies, [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. [8] You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. [9] Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. [10] Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless, [11] for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. [12] Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. [13] Don’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. [14] Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol. [15] My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine. [16] Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. [17] Don’t let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear Yahweh all day long. [18] Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off. [19] Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path! [20] Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat; [21] for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags. [22] Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. [23] Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. [24] The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. [25] Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! [26] My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. [27] For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well. [28] Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. [29] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? [30] Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. [31] Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. [32] In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. [33] Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things. [34] Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging: [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 will look for more.”