Proverbs 23
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1When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,1When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.2and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;
3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.3don't desire his choice food, for that food is deceptive.
4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.4Don't wear yourself out to get rich; because you know better, stop!
5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.5As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;6Don't eat a stingy person's bread, and don't desire his choice food,
7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.7for it's like someone calculating inwardly. "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.8You will vomit the little you've eaten and waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.9Don't speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.
10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,10Don't move an ancient boundary marker, and don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.11for their Redeemer is strong, and he will champion their cause against you.
12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.12Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.
13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.13Don't withhold discipline from a youth; if you punish him with a rod, he will not die.
14Punish them with the rod and save them from death.14Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from Sheol.
15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;15My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.
16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.16My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.
17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.17Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.
18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.18For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.
19Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:19Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.
20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,20Don't associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.
21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.21For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.
22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.22Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth and do not sell it-- wisdom, instruction and insight as well.23Buy--and do not sell--truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.24The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
25May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!25Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.
26My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,26My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.27For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward woman is a narrow well;
28Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.28indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.
29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.30Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine.
31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!31Don't gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.32In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.
33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.33Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.
34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.34You'll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship's mast.
35"They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"35"They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn't know it! When will I wake up? I'll look for another drink."
New International Version (NIV)

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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 22
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