Proverbs 23 — NIV

Proverbs 23:1“Saying 7 23 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what[a] is before you,”

Proverbs 23:2“2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”

Proverbs 23:3“3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

Proverbs 23:4“Saying 8 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.”

Proverbs 23:5“5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Proverbs 23:6“Saying 9 6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;”

Proverbs 23:7“7 for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.[b] “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

Proverbs 23:8“8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.”

Proverbs 23:9“Saying 10 9 Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”

Proverbs 23:10“Saying 11 10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,”

Proverbs 23:11“11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.”

Proverbs 23:12“Saying 12 12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

Proverbs 23:13“Saying 13 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.”

Proverbs 23:14“14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.”

Proverbs 23:15“Saying 14 15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;”

Proverbs 23:16“16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”

Proverbs 23:17“Saying 15 17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.”

Proverbs 23:18“18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Proverbs 23:19“Saying 16 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:”

Proverbs 23:20“20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,”

Proverbs 23:21“21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”

Proverbs 23:22“Saying 17 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

Proverbs 23:23“23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.”

Proverbs 23:24“24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”

Proverbs 23:25“25 May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!”

Proverbs 23:26“Saying 18 26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,”

Proverbs 23:27“27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.”

Proverbs 23:28“28 Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.”

Proverbs 23:29“Saying 19 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?”

Proverbs 23:30“30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.”

Proverbs 23:31“31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!”

Proverbs 23:32“32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”

Proverbs 23:33“33 Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.”

Proverbs 23:34“34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.”

Proverbs 23:35“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?””