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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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Proverbs 23 ISV</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 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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 class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/23.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Things to Avoid in Life</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,</p> <p class="poetry2">carefully think about what is before you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Put a knife to your own throat,</p> <p class="poetry2">if you have a big appetite.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite">a</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Don’t crave his delicacies,</p> <p class="poetry2">because the meal is deceptive.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Don’t exhaust yourself acquiring wealth;</p> <p class="poetry2">be smart enough to stop.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>When you fix your gaze on it, it’s gone,</p> <p class="poetry2">for it sprouts wings for itself</p> <p class="poetry2">and flies to the sky like an eagle.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Don’t consume food provided by a miserly<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:6 Lit. by the evil eyed">b</a></span> person,</p> <p class="poetry2">and don’t desire his delicacies,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>for as he thinks within himself, so he is.</p> <p class="poetry2">“Eat and drink!” he’ll say to you,</p> <p class="poetry2">but his heart won’t be with you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>You’ll vomit up what little you’ve eaten,</p> <p class="poetry2">and your compliments will have been wasted.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Don’t speak when a fool is listening,</p> <p class="poetry2">because he’ll despise your wise words.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Don’t move ancient boundaries</p> <p class="poetry2">or invade fields belonging to orphans;</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>for strong is their Redeemer</p> <p class="poetry2">who will take up their case against you.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Learn diligently,</p> <p class="poetry2">and listen to words of knowledge.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Don’t withhold discipline from a child;</p> <p class="poetry2">if you punish him with a rod,</p> <p class="poetry2">he won’t die.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Punish him with a rod,</p> <p class="poetry2">and you will rescue his soul from Sheol.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:14 i.e. the realm of the dead.">c</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">On Listening to Your Parents</p><p class="poetry1"><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="poetry2">my own heart will greatly rejoice.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>My innermost being will be glad</p> <p class="poetry2">when your lips speak what is right.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Never let yourself envy sinners;</p> <p class="poetry2">instead, remain<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:17 The Heb. lacks remain">d</a></span> in fear of the LORD every day,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>for there is surely a future life,</p> <p class="poetry2">and what you hope for will not be cut off.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><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="poetry2">commit yourself to live God’s<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:19 Lit. live in the">e</a></span> way.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Don’t associate with heavy drinkers</p> <p class="poetry2">or dine with gluttons,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor,</p> <p class="poetry2">and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Listen to the one who fathered you,</p> <p class="poetry2">and don’t despise your mother in her old age.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Purchase truth, but don’t sell it;</p> <p class="poetry2">store up<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:23 The Heb. lacks store up">f</a></span> wisdom, instruction, and understanding.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice;</p> <p class="poetry2">whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Let your father and mother rejoice;</p> <p class="poetry2">make the one who gave birth to you happy.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Give me your heart, my son,</p> <p class="poetry2">and keep your eyes fixed on my ways,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>because a prostitute is a deep pit,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the adulterous<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:27 Lit. foreign">g</a></span> woman a narrow well.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Surely she lies in wait like a bandit,</p> <p class="poetry2">increasing those who are faithless among mankind.</p> <p class="heading">On Sobriety</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Who has woe? Who has grief?</p> <p class="poetry2">Who has contention? Who has complaints?</p> <p class="poetry2">Who has wounds without cause?</p> <p class="poetry2">Who has bloodshot eyes?</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Those who linger over their wine,</p> <p class="poetry2">who consume mixed drinks.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Don’t stare into red wine,</p> <p class="poetry2">when it sparkles in the cup</p> <p class="poetry2">and goes down smoothly.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Eventually it will bite like a snake</p> <p class="poetry2">and sting like a serpent.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Your eyes will see strange things,</p> <p class="poetry2">and with slurred words you’ll speak what you really believe.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>You will be like someone who lies down in the sea,</p> <p class="poetry2">or like someone who sleeps on top of a mast.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>“They struck me,” you will say,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="23:35 The Heb. lacks you will say">h</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">“but I never felt it.</p> <p class="poetry2">They beat me,</p> <p class="poetry2">but I never knew it</p> <p class="poetry2">When will I wake up?</p> <p class="poetry2">I want another drink.”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 23:2 Lit. <i>a master of an appetite</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 23:6 Lit. <i>by the evil eyed</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 23:14 i.e. the realm of the dead.<br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 23:17 The Heb. lacks <i>remain</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 23:19 Lit. <i>live in the</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 23:23 The Heb. lacks <i>store up</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 23:27 Lit. <i>foreign</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 23:35 The Heb. lacks <i>you will say</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/proverbs/23-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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