VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 23

  1. 1<pb/><t>When you sit to dine with a ruler,</t> <t>note well what<f>[40]</f> is before you,</t>
  2. 2<t>and put a knife to your throat</t> <t>if you are given to gluttony.</t>
  3. 3<t>Do not crave his delicacies,</t> <t>for that food is deceptive.</t>
  4. 4<t>Do not wear yourself out to get rich;</t> <t>do not trust your own cleverness.</t>
  5. 5<t>Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,</t> <t>for they will surely sprout wings</t> <t>and fly off to the sky like an eagle.</t>
  6. 6<t>Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,</t> <t>do not crave his delicacies;</t>
  7. 7<t>for he is the kind of person</t> <t>who is always thinking about the cost.<f>[41]</f></t> <t>“Eat and drink,” he says to you,</t> <t>but his heart is not with you.</t>
  8. 8<t>You will vomit up the little you have eaten</t> <t>and will have wasted your compliments.</t>
  9. 9<t>Do not speak to fools,</t> <t>for they will scorn your prudent words.</t>
  10. 10<t>Do not move an ancient boundary stone</t> <t>or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,</t>
  11. 11<t>for their Defender is strong;</t> <t>he will take up their case against you.</t>
  12. 12<t>Apply your heart to instruction</t> <t>and your ears to words of knowledge.</t>
  13. 13<t>Do not withhold discipline from a child;</t> <t>if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.</t>
  14. 14<t>Punish them with the rod</t> <t>and save them from death.</t>
  15. 15<t>My son, if your heart is wise,</t> <t>then my heart will be glad indeed;</t>
  16. 16<t>my inmost being will rejoice</t> <t>when your lips speak what is right.</t>
  17. 17<t>Do not let your heart envy sinners,</t> <t>but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.</t>
  18. 18<t>There is surely a future hope for you,</t> <t>and your hope will not be cut off.</t>
  19. 19<t>Listen, my son, and be wise,</t> <t>and set your heart on the right path:</t>
  20. 20<t>Do not join those who drink too much wine</t> <t>or gorge themselves on meat,</t>
  21. 21<t>for drunkards and gluttons become poor,</t> <t>and drowsiness clothes them in rags.</t>
  22. 22<t>Listen to your father, who gave you life,</t> <t>and do not despise your mother when she is old.</t>
  23. 23<t>Buy the truth and do not sell it—</t> <t>wisdom, instruction and insight as well.</t>
  24. 24<t>The father of a righteous child has great joy;</t> <t>a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.</t>
  25. 25<t>May your father and mother rejoice;</t> <t>may she who gave you birth be joyful!</t>
  26. 26<t>My son, give me your heart</t> <t>and let your eyes delight in my ways,</t>
  27. 27<t>for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,</t> <t>and a wayward wife is a narrow well.</t>
  28. 28<t>Like a bandit she lies in wait</t> <t>and multiplies the unfaithful among men.</t>
  29. 29<t>Who has woe? Who has sorrow?</t> <t>Who has strife? Who has complaints?</t> <t>Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?</t>
  30. 30<t>Those who linger over wine,</t> <t>who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.</t>
  31. 31<t>Do not gaze at wine when it is red,</t> <t>when it sparkles in the cup,</t> <t>when it goes down smoothly!</t>
  32. 32<t>In the end it bites like a snake</t> <t>and poisons like a viper.</t>
  33. 33<t>Your eyes will see strange sights,</t> <t>and your mind will imagine confusing things.</t>
  34. 34<t>You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,</t> <t>lying on top of the rigging.</t>
  35. 35<t>“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!</t> <t>They beat me, but I don’t feel it!</t> <t>When will I wake up</t> <t>so I can find another drink?”</t>