Proverbs 23:1–2
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23:1When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
consider carefully1 what2 is before you,
23:2and put a knife to your throat3
if you possess a large appetite.4
Footnotes
- 1 The construction uses the imperfect tense of instruction with the infinitive absolute to emphasize the careful discernment required on such occasions. Cf. “note well”; “pay attention.”
- 2 Or “who,” referring to the ruler (so , , ).
- 3 The expression “put a knife to your throat” is an idiom that means “curb your appetite” or “control yourself” (cf. ). The instruction was from a time when people dealt with all-powerful tyrants. To enter the presence of such a person and indulge one’s appetites would be to take a very high risk.
- 4 Heb “lord of appetite.” The idiom בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ (ba’al nefesh) refers to someone who possesses a large appetite (cf. “a ravenous appetite”). A person with a big appetite is in danger of taking liberties when invited to court.
The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press
In other versions
ESVEnglish Standard Version
When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
observe carefully what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to appetite.
Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles
NIVNew International Version (2011)
When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.
CSBChristian Standard Bible
When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
consider carefully what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you have a big appetite;
Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
NLTNew Living Translation
While dining with a ruler,
pay attention to what is put before you.
If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
LEBThe Lexham English Bible
When you sit to eat with a ruler,
you shall surely observe what is before you,
and you shall put a knife to your throat
if you have a big appetite.
Copyright 2012 Lexham Press
KJV 1900King James Version
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
Consider diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat,
If thou be a man given to appetite.
Public Domain