Proverbs 23

1When you are seated at a ruler’s table, take careful note of what is in front of you, 2and if you have a big appetite, hold a knife to your own throat. 3Do not long for the ruler’s fine dishes, for that food is deceptive. 4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the sense to stop. 5Cast a glance at wealth, and it is gone; it grows wings and flies off to the sky like an eagle.

6Do not eat at the table of a stingy host, and do not long for their fine food, 7Such people are always counting the cost. “Eat and drink!” they say to you, but their heart is not with you. 8You will throw up the little you have eaten and squander your gracious words. 9Do not talk to a fool, who will only scorn your wise words. 10Do not shift an ancient boundary marker or encroach on the fields of orphans, 11for their Defender is strong, and he will argue their cause against you. 12Set your mind on instruction and your ears on words of knowledge. 13Do not hold back correction from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. 14Punish them with the rod yourself, and you will save their life from Sheol. 15My son, if you have a wise heart, then I myself will be glad at heart. 16I will be glad to the depths of my being when I hear you speak what is right. 17Do not let your heart envy sinners; instead, live in the fear of the LORD all day long. 18Surely there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 19Listen, my son, and become wise; set your heart straight on the way. 20Do not keep company with heavy drinkers of wine or with those who stuff themselves with meat, 21For drunkards and gluttons will end up poor, and their drowsiness will dress them in rags. 22Listen to the father who gave you life, and do not look down on your mother when she is old. 23Buy the truth and never sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 24The father of a righteous son will be full of joy; a man who has a wise son will delight in him. 25Let your father and mother be glad; let her who gave birth to you rejoice. 26Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes watch my ways. 27A prostitute is a deep pit; a foreign woman is a narrow well. 28She lies in wait like a robber and makes many men unfaithful. 29Who has trouble? Who has misery? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has bruises for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30Those who stay up late over wine, who go looking for spiced drinks. 31Do not gaze at the red wine as it gleams in the cup and slides down so easily. 32But at the last it bites like a snake and strikes like a viper. 33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will say confused and twisted things. 34You will be like someone sleeping in the middle of the sea, like someone lying at the top of a ship’s mast. 35“They hit me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When will I wake up? I will go and look for another drink.”