Proverbs Chapter 23 (ESV)

KJV ESV NIV NASB NLT

undefined When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you,

undefined and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

undefined Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.

undefined Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.

undefined When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

undefined Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies,

undefined for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

undefined You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.

undefined Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

undefined Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless,

undefined for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.

undefined Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

undefined Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

undefined If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

undefined My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.

undefined My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.

undefined Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

undefined Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

undefined Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.

undefined Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,

undefined for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

undefined Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

undefined Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

undefined The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

undefined Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

undefined My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

undefined For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.

undefined She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.

undefined Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

undefined Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.

undefined Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

undefined In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

undefined Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

undefined You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.

undefined “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”

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