Proverbs Chapter 23 (NIV)

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undefined When you sit to dine with a ruler,note well what is before you,

undefined and put a knife to your throatif you are given to gluttony.

undefined Do not crave his delicacies,for that food is deceptive.

undefined Do not wear yourself out to get rich;have the wisdom to show restraint.

undefined Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,for they will surely sprout wingsand fly off to the sky like an eagle.

undefined Do not eat the food of a stingy man,do not crave his delicacies;

undefined for he is the kind of manwho is always thinking about the cost.“Eat and drink,” he says to you,but his heart is not with you.

undefined You will vomit up the little you have eatenand will have wasted your compliments.

undefined Do not speak to a fool,for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

undefined Do not move an ancient boundary stoneor encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

undefined for their Defender is strong;he will take up their case against you.

undefined Apply your heart to instructionand your ears to words of knowledge.

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

undefined Punish him with the rodand save his soul from death.

undefined My son, if your heart is wise,then my heart will be glad;

undefined my inmost being will rejoicewhen your lips speak what is right.

undefined Do not let your heart envy sinners,but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

undefined There is surely a future hope for you,and your hope will not be cut off.

undefined Listen, my son, and be wise,and keep your heart on the right path.

undefined Do not join those who drink too much wineor gorge themselves on meat,

undefined for drunkards and gluttons become poor,and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

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

undefined Buy the truth and do not sell it;get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

undefined The father of a righteous man has great joy;he who has a wise son delights in him.

undefined May your father and mother be glad;may she who gave you birth rejoice!

undefined My son, give me your heartand let your eyes keep to my ways,

undefined for a prostitute is a deep pitand a wayward wife is a narrow well.

undefined Like a bandit she lies in wait,and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

undefined Who has woe? Who has sorrow?Who has strife? Who has complaints?Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

undefined Those who linger over wine,who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

undefined Do not gaze at wine when it is red,when it sparkles in the cup,when it goes down smoothly!

undefined In the end it bites like a snakeand poisons like a viper.

undefined Your eyes will see strange sightsand your mind imagine confusing things.

undefined You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,lying on top of the rigging.

undefined “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!They beat me, but I don’t feel it!When will I wake upso I can find another drink?”

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