Proverbs 23 — FBV
23Verse 1When you sit down for a meal with a ruler, look carefully at what is placed before you,Verse 2and cut down+if you have a big appetite.Verse 3Don't be greedy for his fancy food, for it's offered with deceptive motives.+Verse 4Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich—be wise enough not to bother!Verse 5It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.Verse 6Don't accept meal invitations from miserly people; don't be greedy for their fancy food,Verse 7for 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.+Verse 8You'll vomit up the little pieces you've eaten, and your kind words of appreciation will be wasted.Verse 9Don't talk to stupid people because they'll ridicule your wise words.Verse 10Don't move ancient boundary markers, and don't encroach on fields belonging to orphans,Verse 11for their Protector+is powerful and he will plead their case against you.Verse 12Focus your mind on instruction; listen intently to words of knowledge.Verse 13Don't keep from disciplining your children—a beating won't kill them.Verse 14If you use physical correction you can save them from death.+Verse 15My son, if you think wisely then I'll be happy;Verse 16I'll be delighted when you say what's right.Verse 17Don't think enviously of sinners, but always remember to honor the Lord,Verse 18for there's definitely a future for you, and your hope will not be crushed.Verse 19Pay attention, my son, and be wise; make sure your mind concentrates on following the right way.Verse 20Don't join in with people who drink too much wine or who stuff themselves with meat.Verse 21For 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.Verse 22Pay attention to your father, and don't disregard your mother when she's old.Verse 23Invest in truth—and don't sell it! Invest in wisdom, instruction, and understanding.Verse 24Children who do right make their fathers very happy; a wise son brings joy to his father.Verse 25Make your father and mother happy; bring joy to her who gave birth to you.Verse 26My son, give me your undivided attention, and cheerfully follow my example.Verse 27A prostitute is like being trapped in a pit; an immoral woman is like getting stuck a narrow well,Verse 28Like a robber, she lies in wait ready to ambush men and make more of them unfaithful to their wives.Verse 29Who's in trouble? Who's in pain? Who's arguing? Who's complaining? Who's injured for no reason? Who's got bloodshot eyes?Verse 30—those who spend a long time drinking wine, those who are always trying some new cocktail.+Verse 31Don'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.Verse 32In the end it bites like a serpent, it stings like a snake.Verse 33You'll hallucinate, seeing strange things, and your confused mind will make you say all kinds of craziness.Verse 34You'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,Verse 35“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.”