Proverbs 23

Saying 7

1 When you sit with a ruler, watch carefully what is before you.

2 Put a knife to your throat if you got no control at the table.

3 Do not crave his fancy food, it is a trap.

4 Do not wear yourself out chasing wealth; show wisdom and chill.

5 Wealth grows wings and flies off like an eagle toward the sky.

6 Do not eat with a stingy man; do not crave his food.

7 He counting every bite in his mind, he says “Eat and drink,” but his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the little you ate and waste your good words.

9 Do not speak to fools; they will just clown your wisdom.

10 Do not move old boundaries or mess with the orphans’ land.

11 Their Redeemer strong; He will take up their case against you.

12 Open your heart to instruction and your ears to knowledge.

13 Do not hold back discipline from a child; if you spank him, he will not die.

14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

15 My son, if your heart wise, my heart rejoices too.

16 My whole being celebrates when your lips speak truth.

17 Do not envy sinners; stay steady in the fear of the Lord all day.

18 Surely there is a future; your hope will not get cut off.

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

20 Do not hang with drunks or those who stuff themselves with food.

21 Drunks and gluttons end up broke, and sleepiness puts you in rags.

22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your old mama.

23 Buy truth and do not sell it, also get wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

24 The father of a righteous child rejoices; a wise kid brings him joy.

25 So let your father and mother be glad; make your mama proud.

26 My son, give me your heart; let your eyes delight in my ways.

27 A prostitute a deep pit; an adulterous woman a narrow well.

28 She lies in wait like a robber, multiplying unfaithful men.

29 Who got woe, Who got sorrow, Who got fights, Who got complaints, Who got bruises for no reason, Who got red eyes,

30 Those who linger over wine, who keep sampling mixed drinks.

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

32 In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see weird stuff, your mind will speak twisted things.

34 You will feel like lying on the high seas, like sleeping on a ship’s mast.

35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I am not hurt! They beat me, but I did not feel it! When I wake up, I will go look for another drink.”