Proverbs 23

1When you sit down to eat with a ruler, pay close attention to what is in front of you,

2And put a knife to your own throat if you are a person who has a big appetite.

3Do not crave that ruler's delicacies, because that food is deceptive.

4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to stop.

5Will you set your eyes on riches, when they are gone in an instant? Riches sprout wings and fly away like an eagle into the sky!

6Do not eat the food of a stingy person, and do not crave that stingy person's delicacies,

7Because that stingy person is always thinking about the cost of food. Eat and drink, that stingy person says to you, but that stingy person's heart is not with you.

8You will vomit up the little you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.

9Do not speak to a fool, because that fool will scorn the wisdom of your words.

10Do not move an ancient boundary stone, and do not encroach on the fields of orphans,

11Because the Defender of orphans is strong; that strong Defender will take up the court case of orphans against you.

12Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish that child with the rod, that child will not die.

14Punish that child with the rod, and save that child's life from the grave.

15My son, if your heart is wise, then my own heart will rejoice.

16Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue to respect the LORD.

18Because there is surely a future ahead, and your hope will not be cut off.

19Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your heart on the right path.

20Do not join those who drink too much wine or those who feast on meat without restraint,

21Because drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness dresses a person in rags.

22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not look down on your mother when she is old.

23Buy the truth and do not sell it — buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding too.

24The father of a righteous child will rejoice greatly; whoever has a wise child will delight in that child.

25Let your father and your mother be glad; let the mother who bore you rejoice.

26My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes watch my ways carefully.

27Because a prostitute is a deep pit, and a woman who is unfaithful is a narrow well.

28She lies in wait like a robber, and she increases the number of unfaithful men.

29Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who has fights? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30Those who spend too much time drinking wine, those who go looking for mixed wine.

31Do not look at the wine when it is red, when that wine sparkles in the cup, when that wine goes down smoothly.

32In the end, that wine bites like a poisonous snake and stings like a viper.

33Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confused thoughts.

34You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea, or someone lying on top of a ship's mast.

35People hit me, you will say, but I did not feel it; people beat me, but I did not know it. When will I wake up? I will look for another drink.