Proverbs 23:1–4

1 When you sit to dine with a ruler,

note well what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to gluttony.

3 Do not crave his delicacies,

for that food is deceptive.

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

do not trust your own cleverness.

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,

Consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat,

If thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties:

For they are deceitful meat.

4 Labour not to be rich:

Cease from thine own wisdom.

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is before you;

2 And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

For they are deceptive food.

4 Do not overwork to be rich;

Because of your own understanding, cease!

1 If you sit down to eat with a ruler,

notice the food that is in front of you.

2 Control yourself

if you have a big appetite.

3 Don’t be greedy for his fine foods,

because that food might be a trick.

4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;

be wise enough to control yourself.

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,

Consider diligently him that is before thee;

2 And put a knife to thy throat,

If thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties;

Seeing they are deceitful food.

4 Weary not thyself to be rich;

Cease from thine own wisdom.

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee; 2 and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.

4 Weary not thyself to become rich; cease from thine own intelligence:

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, 

pay close attention to what is in front of you, 

2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite. 

3 Do not crave his delicacies, 

because this is food that deceives you. 

4 Do not wear yourself out getting rich. 

Be smart enough to stop. 

1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,

consider carefully what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you have a big appetite;

3 don’t desire his choice food,

for that food is deceptive.

4 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich;

stop giving your attention to it.

1 When you sit down to eat with an official,

observe carefully what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you have a big appetite.

3 Do not desire an official’s delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

be wise enough to desist.

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler,

you shall surely observe what is before you,

2 and you shall put a knife to your throat

if you have a big appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

for it is food of deception.

4 Do not tire in order to become rich;

out of your understanding, may you desist.

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

look carefully at what’s in front of you.

2 Put a knife to your throat

if you like to eat too much.

3 Don’t long for his fancy food.

It can fool you.

4 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich.

Be wise enough to say no.

1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is before you,

2 And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man of great appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

For it is deceptive food.

4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,

Cease from your consideration of it.