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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 23 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" 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href="../proverbs/22.htm" title="Proverbs 22">◄</a> Proverbs 23 <a href="../proverbs/24.htm" title="Proverbs 24">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/proverbs/23.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 7</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>When you sit to dine with a ruler,</p><p class="line2">note well what <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or who">a</a></sup></span> is before you,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>and put a knife to your throat</p><p class="line2">if you are given to gluttony.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Do not crave his delicacies,</p><p class="line2">for that food is deceptive.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 8</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Do not wear yourself out to get rich;</p><p class="line2">do not trust your own cleverness.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,</p><p class="line2">for they will surely sprout wings</p><p class="line2">and fly off to the sky like an eagle.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 9</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,</p><p class="line2">do not crave his delicacies;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>for he is the kind of person</p><p class="line2">who is always thinking about the cost. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or for as he thinks within himself, so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, so he is">b</a></sup></span> </p><p class="line1">“Eat and drink,” he says to you,</p><p class="line2">but his heart is not with you.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>You will vomit up the little you have eaten</p><p class="line2">and will have wasted your compliments.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 10</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Do not speak to fools,</p><p class="line2">for they will scorn your prudent words.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 11</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Do not move an ancient boundary stone</p><p class="line2">or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>for their Defender is strong;</p><p class="line2">he will take up their case against you.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 12</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Apply your heart to instruction</p><p class="line2">and your ears to words of knowledge.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 13</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Do not withhold discipline from a child;</p><p class="line2">if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Punish them with the rod</p><p class="line2">and save them from death.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 14</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>My son, if your heart is wise,</p><p class="line2">then my heart will be glad indeed;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>my inmost being will rejoice</p><p class="line2">when your lips speak what is right.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 15</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Do not let your heart envy sinners,</p><p class="line2">but always be zealous for the fear of the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>There is surely a future hope for you,</p><p class="line2">and your hope will not be cut off.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 16</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Listen, my son, and be wise,</p><p class="line2">and set your heart on the right path:</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Do not join those who drink too much wine</p><p class="line2">or gorge themselves on meat,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>for drunkards and gluttons become poor,</p><p class="line2">and drowsiness clothes them in rags.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 17</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Listen to your father, who gave you life,</p><p class="line2">and do not despise your mother when she is old.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Buy the truth and do not sell it—</p><p class="line2">wisdom, instruction and insight as well.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The father of a righteous child has great joy;</p><p class="line2">a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>May your father and mother rejoice;</p><p class="line2">may she who gave you birth be joyful!</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 18</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>My son, give me your heart</p><p class="line2">and let your eyes delight in my ways,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,</p><p class="line2">and a wayward wife is a narrow well.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Like a bandit she lies in wait</p><p class="line2">and multiplies the unfaithful among men.</p></div></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="minorsectionhead">Saying 19</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Who has woe? Who has sorrow?</p><p class="line2">Who has strife? Who has complaints?</p><p class="line2">Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Those who linger over wine,</p><p class="line2">who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Do not gaze at wine when it is red,</p><p class="line2">when it sparkles in the cup,</p><p class="line2">when it goes down smoothly!</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>In the end it bites like a snake</p><p class="line2">and poisons like a viper.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Your eyes will see strange sights,</p><p class="line2">and your mind will imagine confusing things.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,</p><p class="line2">lying on top of the rigging.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!</p><p class="line2">They beat me, but I don’t feel it!</p><p class="line1">When will I wake up</p><p class="line2">so I can find another drink?”</p></div></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">1</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>who</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">7</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>for as he thinks within himself,<br />     so he is</i>; or <i>for as he puts on a feast,<br />     so he is</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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