23RD CHAPTER

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. 

5  Will you catch only a fleeting glimpse of wealth before it is gone? 

It makes wings for itself like an eagle flying into the sky. 

6  Do not eat the food of one who is stingy, 

and do not crave his delicacies. 

7  As he calculates the cost to himself, this is what he does: 

He tells you, “Eat and drink,” 

but he doesn’t really mean it. 

8  You will vomit the little bit you have eaten 

and spoil your pleasant conversation. 

9  Do not talk directly to a fool, 

because he will despise the wisdom of your words. 

10  Do not move an ancient boundary marker 

or enter fields that belong to orphans, 

11  because the one who is responsible for them is strong. 

He will plead their case against you. 

Learning from Your Father

12  Live a more disciplined life, 

and listen carefully to words of knowledge. 

13  Do not hesitate to discipline a child. 

If you spank him, he will not die. 

14  Spank him yourself, 

and you will save his soul from hell. 

15  My son, 

if you have a wise heart, 

my heart will rejoice as well. 

16  My heart rejoices when you speak what is right. 

17  Do not envy sinners in your heart. 

Instead, continue to fear the Lord. 

18  There is indeed a future, 

and your hope will never be cut off. 

19  My son, 

listen, be wise, 

and keep your mind going in the right direction. 

20  Do not associate with those who drink too much wine, 

with those who eat too much meat, 

21  because both a drunk and a glutton will become poor. 

Drowsiness will dress a person in rags. 

22  Listen to your father since you are his son, 

and do not despise your mother because she is old. 

23  Buy truth (and do not sell it), 

⸤that is,⸥ buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 

24  A righteous person’s father will certainly rejoice. 

Someone who has a wise son will enjoy him. 

25  May your father and your mother be glad. 

May she who gave birth to you rejoice. 

26  My son, 

give me your heart. 

Let your eyes find happiness in my ways. 

27  A prostitute is a deep pit. 

A loose woman is a narrow well. 

28  She is like a robber, lying in ambush. 

She spreads unfaithfulness throughout society. 

29  Who has trouble? 

Who has misery? 

Who has quarrels? 

Who has a complaint? 

Who has wounds for no reason? 

Who has bloodshot eyes? 

30  Those who drink glass after glass of wine 

and mix it with everything. 

31  Do not look at wine 

because it is red, 

because it sparkles in the cup, 

because it goes down smoothly. 

32  Later it bites like a snake 

and strikes like a poisonous snake. 

33  Your eyes will see strange sights, 

and your mouth will say embarrassing things. 

34  You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea 

or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying, 

35  “They strike me, but I feel no pain. 

They beat me, but I’m not aware of it. 

Whenever I wake up, I’m going to look for another drink.”