Old Testament · Poetry and wisdom

Proverbs chapter 23

When you sit down to eat with a , pay close attention to what’s in front of you,and put a knife to your throat if you’re someone with a .Don’t crave his — it comes with strings attached.Don’t wear yourself out chasing . Be smart enough to stop.The moment you fix your eyes on it, it’s gone — wealth sprouts wings like an and flies away into the sky.Don’t eat the food of someone who is — don’t crave their fancy dishes.Because he’s the kind of person who is always . He tells you, “Eat! Drink! Enjoy yourself!” but his heart isn’t in it.You’ll end up vomiting the little bit you ate, and your kind words to him will have been wasted.Don’t waste your words on a — he’ll just sneer at your good sense.Don’t move an , and don’t encroach on the fields of ,because is powerful — he will take up their case against you.Commit yourself to , and open your ears to words that give you knowledge.Don’t hold back from a child — a spanking won’t kill them.If you discipline them, you’ll save them from ., if your heart grows wise, my own heart will celebrate.My will rejoice when you speak what is .Don’t let your heart envy people who — instead, live in every single day.Because there really is a for you, and your will never be cut off.Listen, my son, and be wise — keep your on the right path.Don’t hang out with or with those who ,because heavy drinkers and gluttons end up broke — their dresses them in rags.Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t dismiss your mother when she’s old.Buy and never sell it — get , , and .The father of someone who will be overjoyed — the parent who raises a wise child will celebrate.Let your father and mother be filled with joy — let the woman who gave birth to you celebrate.My son, give me your , and let your eyes stay focused on my ways.A prostitute is a , and a is a narrow well.She lies in ambush like a robber and adds to the number of people who .Who has ? Who has regret? Who has conflict? Who has complaints? Who has injuries for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes?The ones who linger over their wine — the ones who go looking for the perfect .Don’t stare at wine when it’s red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.In the end it bites like a and strikes like a .Your eyes will see , and your mind will say .You’ll be like someone lying down in the middle of the ocean, or sleeping on top of a ship’s mast.“They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. They beat me, but I didn’t notice. When will I wake up? I need another drink.”