Proverbs 23

1When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; 2if you are a man given to appetite. put a knife to your throat, 3since they are deceitful food. Don’t be desirous of his dainties, 4In your wisdom, show restraint. Don’t weary yourself to be rich. 5For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? 6and don’t crave his delicacies: Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, 7for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8and lose your good words. The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, 9for he will despise the wisdom of your words. Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, 10Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless: Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. 11He will plead their case against you. for their Defender is strong. 12and your ears to the words of knowledge. Apply your heart to instruction, 13If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Don’t withhold correction from a child. 14* Punish him with the rod, 15then my heart will be glad, even mine: My son, if your heart is wise, 16when your lips speak what is right. yes, my heart will rejoice, 17but rather fear Yahweh all the day long. Don’t let your heart envy sinners; 18and your hope will not be cut off. Indeed surely there is a future hope, 19and keep your heart on the right path! Listen, my son, and be wise, 20or those who gorge themselves on meat: Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, 21and drowsiness clothes them in rags. for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; 22and don’t despise your mother when she is old. Listen to your father who gave you life, 23Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. 24Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. The father of the righteous has great joy. 25Let her who bore you rejoice! Let your father and your mother be glad! 26and let your eyes keep in my ways. My son, give me your heart; 27and a wayward wife is a narrow well. For a prostitute is a deep pit; 28and increases the unfaithful among men. Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, 29Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Who has woe? 30those who go to seek out mixed wine. Those who stay long at the wine; 31when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. Don’t look at the wine when it is red, 32and poisons like a viper. In the end, it bites like a snake, 33and your mind will imagine confusing things. Your eyes will see strange things, 34or as he who lies on top of the rigging: Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, 35They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another.” “They hit me, and I was not hurt!