Proverbs 23:1-18

New International Version

Saying 7

23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
    note well what^[a] is before you,
²and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to gluttony.
³Do not crave his delicacies,^(A)
    for that food is deceptive.

Saying 8

⁴Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
    do not trust your own cleverness.
⁵Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,^(B)
    for they will surely sprout wings
    and fly off to the sky like an eagle.^(C)

Saying 9

⁶Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
    do not crave his delicacies;^(D)
⁷for he is the kind of person
    who is always thinking about the cost.^[b]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
⁸You will vomit up the little you have eaten
    and will have wasted your compliments.

Saying 10

⁹Do not speak to fools,
for they will scorn your prudent words.^(E)

Saying 11

¹⁰Do not move an ancient boundary stone^(F)
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹for their Defender^(G) is strong;^(H)
he will take up their case against you.^(I)

Saying 12

¹²Apply your heart to instruction^(J)
and your ears to words of knowledge.

Saying 13

¹³Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
¹⁴Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.^(K)

Saying 14

¹⁵My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
¹⁶my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.^(L)

Saying 15

¹⁷Do not let your heart envy^(M) sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
¹⁸There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.^(N)