Proverbs 23:1-35 NIrV

[1] When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what’s in front of you. [2] Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much. [3] Don’t long for his fancy food. It can fool you. [4] Don’t wear yourself out to get rich. Don’t trust how wise you think you are. [5] When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone. They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle. [6] Don’t eat the food of anyone who doesn’t want to share it. Don’t long for his fancy food. [7] He 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. [8] You will throw up what little you have eaten. You will have wasted your words of praise. [9] Don’t speak to foolish people. They will laugh at your wise words. [10] Don’t move old boundary stones. Don’t try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died. [11] That’s because the God who guards them is strong. He will stand up for them in court against you. [12] Apply your heart to what you are taught. Listen carefully to words of knowledge. [13] Don’t hold back correction from a child. If you correct them, they won’t die. [14] So correct them. Then you will save them from death. [15] My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be very glad. [16] Deep down inside, I will be happy when you say what is right. [17] Do not long for what sinners have. But always show great respect for the LORD. [18] There really is hope for you in days to come. So your hope will not be cut off. [19] My son, listen and be wise. Set your heart on the right path. [20] Don’t join those who drink too much wine. Don’t join those who stuff themselves with meat. [21] Those who drink or eat too much will become poor. If they sleep too much, they’ll have to wear rags. [22] Listen to your father, who gave you life. Don’t hate your mother when she is old. [23] Buy the truth and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, instruction and understanding as well. [24] The father of a godly child is very happy. A man who has a wise son is glad. [25] May your father and mother be glad. May the woman who gave birth to you be joyful. [26] My son, give me your heart. May you be happy living the way you see me live. [27] An unfaithful wife is like a deep pit. A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well. [28] She hides and waits like a thief. She causes many men to sin. [29] Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who argues? Who has problems? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes? [30] Those who spend too much time with wine. Or those who like to taste wine mixed with spices. [31] Don’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. [32] In the end it bites like a snake. It bites like a poisonous serpent. [33] Your eyes will see strange sights. Your mind will imagine weird things. [34] You 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?”