Proverbs 23
1 If you sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before you:
When you sit down for a meal with a ruler, look carefully at what is placed before you,
2 and apply your hand, knowing that it behoves you to prepare such [meats]: but if you are very insatiable,
and cut down if you have a big appetite.
3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.
Don't be greedy for his fancy food, for it's offered with deceptive motives.
4 If you are poor, measure not yourself with a rich man; but refrain yourself in your wisdom.
Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich—be wise enough not to bother!
5 If you should fix your eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.
It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.
6 Sup not with an envious man, neither desire you his meats:
Don't accept meal invitations from miserly people; don't be greedy for their fancy food,
7 so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to yourself, nor eat your morsel with him:
for what they're thinking inside is what they really are. They say, “Come on, eat and drink!”—but in their minds they don't really care about you.
8 for he will vomit it up, and spoil your fair words.
You'll vomit up the little pieces you've eaten, and your kind words of appreciation will be wasted.
9 Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at your wise words.
Don't talk to stupid people because they'll ridicule your wise words.
10 Remove not the ancient landmarks; and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless:
Don't move ancient boundary markers, and don't encroach on fields belonging to orphans,
11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with you.
for their Protector is powerful and he will plead their case against you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction, and prepare your ears for words of discretion.
Focus your mind on instruction; listen intently to words of knowledge.
13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.
Don't keep from disciplining your children—a beating won't kill them.
If you use physical correction you can save them from death. (Sheol h7585)
15 Son, if your heart be wise, you shall also gladden my heart;
My son, if you think wisely then I'll be happy;
16 and your lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right.
I'll be delighted when you say what's right.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners: but be you in the fear of the Lord all the day.
Don't think enviously of sinners, but always remember to honor the Lord,
18 For if you should keep these things, you shall have posterity; and your hope shall not be removed.
for there's definitely a future for you, and your hope will not be crushed.
19 Hear, [my] son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of your heart.
Pay attention, my son, and be wise; make sure your mind concentrates on following the right way.
20 Be not a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh:
Don't join in with people who drink too much wine or who stuff themselves with meat.
21 for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.
For people who get drunk and overeat lose all they've got, and they spend so much time dozing that all they have left to wear is rags.
22 Listen, [my] son, to your father which begot you, and despise not [your mother] because she is grown old.
Pay attention to your father, and don't disregard your mother when she's old.
Invest in truth—and don't sell it! Invest in wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 A righteous father brings up [his children] well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son.
Children who do right make their fathers very happy; a wise son brings joy to his father.
25 Let your father and your mother rejoice over you, and let her that bore you be glad.
Make your father and mother happy; bring joy to her who gave birth to you.
26 [My] son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
My son, give me your undivided attention, and cheerfully follow my example.
27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow.
A prostitute is like being trapped in a pit; an immoral woman is like getting stuck a narrow well,
28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.
Like a robber, she lies in wait ready to ambush men and make more of them unfaithful to their wives.
29 Who [has] woe? who trouble? who [has] quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who [has] bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid?
Who's in trouble? Who's in pain? Who's arguing? Who's complaining? Who's injured for no reason? Who's got bloodshot eyes?
30 Are not those of them that stay long at wine? [are] not [those] of them that haunt [the places] where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse [with them] openly.
—those who spend a long time drinking wine, those who are always trying some new cocktail.
31 For if you should set your eyes on bowls and cups, you shall afterwards go more naked than a pestle.
Don't let the look of wine tempt you—how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smooth it feels as it goes down.
32 But at last [such a one] stretches himself out as one struck by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.
In the end it bites like a serpent, it stings like a snake.
33 Whenever your eyes shall behold a strange woman, then your mouth shall speak perverse things.
You'll hallucinate, seeing strange things, and your confused mind will make you say all kinds of craziness.
34 And you shall lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm.
You'll stumble around like you're on the rolling ocean, you'll be tossed about like someone lying down at the top of a ship's mast, saying,
35 And you shall say, They struck me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?
“People punched me, but it didn't hurt me; they beat me, but I didn't feel a thing. I've got to get up because I need another drink.”
