CINXE.COM

<!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</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/bsb/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" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc//proverbs/23-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > Proverbs 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a 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 align="center" id="jump2"><a href="/niv/proverbs/23.htm">NIV</a> • <a href="/nlt/proverbs/23.htm">NLT</a> • <a href="/esv/proverbs/23.htm">ESV</a> • <a href="/kjv/proverbs/23.htm">KJV</a> • <a href="/nkjv/proverbs/23.htm">NKJ</a> • <a href="/nasb/proverbs/23.htm">NAS</a></div><br /><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="1%" valign="top">BSB</td><td width="99%" valign="top" align="right"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/23.htm" style="font-weight:normal" title="Parallel Chapters">Parallel Chapters ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><A name="2"></a><p class="hdg">True Riches<br /><span class="cross">(<a href ="../1_timothy/6.htm#17">1 Timothy 6:17–19</a>; <a href ="../james/5.htm">James 5:1–6</a>)</span><p class="subhdg">Saying 7<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>When you sit down to dine with a ruler, <p class="indent2"> consider carefully what is set before you,<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">a</a></span> <A name="3"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>and put a knife to your throat <p class="indent2"> if you possess a great appetite. <A name="4"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Do not crave his delicacies, <p class="indent2"> for that food is deceptive. <A name="5"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 8<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Do not wear yourself out to get rich; <p class="indent2"> be wise enough to restrain yourself. <A name="6"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>When you glance at wealth, it disappears, <p class="indent2"> for it makes wings for itself <p class="indent2"> and flies like an eagle to the sky. <A name="7"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 9<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Do not eat the bread of a stingy man,<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">b</a></span> <p class="indent2"> and do not crave his delicacies; <A name="8"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>for he is keeping track, <p class="indent2"> inwardly counting the cost.<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">c</a></span> <p class="indent1">“Eat and drink,” he says to you, <p class="indent2"> but his heart is not with you. <A name="9"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>You will vomit up what little you have eaten <p class="indent2"> and waste your pleasant words. <A name="10"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 10<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Do not speak to a fool, <p class="indent2"> for he will despise the wisdom of your words. <A name="11"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 11<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Do not move an ancient boundary stone <p class="indent2"> or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, <A name="12"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>for their Redeemer is strong; <p class="indent2"> He will take up their case against you. <A name="13"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 12<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Apply your heart to instruction <p class="indent2"> and your ears to words of knowledge. <A name="14"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 13<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Do not withhold discipline from a child; <p class="indent2"> although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. <A name="15"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Strike him with a rod, <p class="indent2"> and you will deliver his soul from Sheol. <A name="16"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 14<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>My son, if your heart is wise, <p class="indent2"> my own heart will indeed rejoice. <A name="17"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>My inmost being<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">d</a></span> will rejoice <p class="indent2"> when your lips speak what is right. <A name="18"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 15<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Do not let your heart envy sinners, <p class="indent2"> but always continue in the fear of the LORD. <A name="19"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>For surely there is a future, <p class="indent2"> and your hope will not be cut off. <A name="20"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 16<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Listen, my son, and be wise, <p class="indent2"> and guide your heart on the right course. <A name="21"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Do not join those who drink too much wine <p class="indent2"> or gorge themselves on meat. <A name="22"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, <p class="indent2"> and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. <A name="23"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 17<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Listen to your father who gave you life, <p class="indent2"> and do not despise your mother when she is old. <A name="24"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Invest in truth and never sell it—<p class="indent2"> in wisdom and instruction and understanding. <A name="25"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, <p class="indent2"> and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. <A name="26"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>May your father and mother be glad, <p class="indent2"> and may she who gave you birth rejoice! <A name="27"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 18<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>My son, give me your heart, <p class="indent2"> and let your eyes delight in my ways. <A name="28"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>For a prostitute is a deep pit, <p class="indent2"> and an adulteress<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">e</a></span> is a narrow well. <A name="29"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Like a robber she lies in wait <p class="indent2"> and multiplies the faithless among men. <A name="30"></a><p class="subhdg">Saying 19<p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Who has woe? Who has sorrow? <p class="indent2"> Who has contentions? Who has complaints? <p class="indent2"> Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? <A name="31"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Those who linger over wine, <p class="indent2"> who go to taste mixed drinks. <A name="32"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Do not gaze at wine while it is red, <p class="indent2"> when it sparkles in the cup <p class="indent2"> and goes down smoothly. <A name="33"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>In the end it bites like a snake <p class="indent2"> and stings like a viper. <A name="34"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Your eyes will see strange things, <p class="indent2"> and your mind will utter perversities. <A name="35"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>You will be like one sleeping on the high seas <p class="indent2"> or lying on the top of a mast: <p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>“They struck me, but I feel no pain! <p class="indent2"> They beat me, but I did not know it! <p class="indent1"> When can I wake up <p class="indent2"> to search for another drink?”</p><A name="fn"></a><div id="fnlink"><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:</b><br><br><span class="fnverse">1</span> <span class="footnotesbot">a</span> Or <i>who is before you</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">6</span> <span class="footnotesbot">b</span> Literally <i>of him whose eye is evil</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">7</span> <span class="footnotesbot">c</span> Or <i>for as he calculates in his soul, so is he</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">16</span> <span class="footnotesbot">d</span> Hebrew <i>My kidneys</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">27</span> <span class="footnotesbot">e</span> Or <i>a foreign woman</i><span class="thin"> </span> or <i>a wayward wife</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><br /></div><br /></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Berean Bible (<a href=http://berean.bible>www.Berean.Bible</a>) <a href=http://bereanbible.com>Berean Study Bible (BSB)</a> © 2016, 2020 by <a href=http://biblehub.com>Bible Hub</a> and <a href=http://berean.bible>Berean.Bible</a>. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Free <a href=http://berean.bible/downloads.htm>downloads</a> and <a href=http://berean.bible/licensing.htm>licensing</a> available. See also the <a href=http://literalbible.com>Berean Literal Bible</a> and <a href=http://interlinearbible.com>Berean Interlinear Bible</a>.<span class=p><br /><br /></span><a href=/>Bible Hub</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../proverbs/22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../proverbs/24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchapnoad.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>