# Proverbs 23 [[Prov-22|← Proverbs 22]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-24|Proverbs 24 →]] *** ###### v1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; ###### v2 put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite. ###### v3 Don't be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food. ###### v4 Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. ###### v5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. ###### v6 Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don't crave his delicacies: ###### v7 for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you. ###### v8 The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words. ###### v9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. ###### v10 Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless, ###### v11 for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. ###### v12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. ###### v13 Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. ###### v14 Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol. ###### v15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine. ###### v16 Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. ###### v17 Don't let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear Yahweh all day long. ###### v18 Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off. ###### v19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path! ###### v20 Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat: ###### v21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags. ###### v22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old. ###### v23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. ###### v24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. ###### v25 Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! ###### v26 My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. ###### v27 For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well. ###### v28 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. ###### v29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? ###### v30 Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. ###### v31 Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. ###### v32 In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. ###### v33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things. ###### v34 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: ###### v35 "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 can find another." *** [[Prov-22|← Proverbs 22]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-24|Proverbs 24 →]]