Proverbs 23

₁When you sit down to eat with someone important, keep in mind who he is. ₂If you have a big appetite, restrain yourself. ₃Don't be greedy for the fine food he serves; he may be trying to trick you.

₄Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich. ₅Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.

₆Don't eat at the table of a stingy person or be greedy for the fine food he serves. ₇“Come on and have some more,” he says, but he doesn't mean it. What he thinks is what he really is. ₈You will vomit up what you have eaten, and all your flattery will be wasted.

₉Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it.

₁₀Never move an old boundary mark or take over land owned by orphans. ₁₁The LORD is their powerful defender, and he will argue their case against you.

₁₂Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can.

₁₃Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them. ₁₄As a matter of fact, it may save their lives.

₁₅Son, if you become wise, I will be very happy. ₁₆I will be proud when I hear you speaking words of wisdom.

₁₇Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the LORD be the concern of your life. ₁₈If it is, you have a bright future.

₁₉Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live. ₂₀Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food. ₂₁Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags.

₂₂Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.

₂₃Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense — these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell.

₂₄A righteous man's father has good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise son.

₂₅Make your father and mother proud of you; give your mother that happiness.

₂₆Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example. ₂₇Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap. ₂₈They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful.

_29-30Show me someone who drinks too much, who has to try out some new drink, and I will show you someone miserable and sorry for himself, always causing trouble and always complaining. His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bruises that could have been avoided. ₃₁Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. ₃₂The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake. ₃₃Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly. ₃₄You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, sea-sick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship. ₃₅“I must have been hit,” you will say; “I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink.”