Proverbs 23 :: New International Version (NIV)

Saying 7

Pro 23:1

Pro 23:1When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what[fn] is before you,

Pro 23:2

Pro 23:2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Pro 23:3

Pro 23:3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

Saying 8

Pro 23:4

Pro 23:4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Pro 23:5

Pro 23:5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Saying 9

Pro 23:6

Pro 23:6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;

Pro 23:7

Pro 23:7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.[fn] “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Pro 23:8

Pro 23:8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Saying 10

Pro 23:9

Pro 23:9Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

Saying 11

Pro 23:10

Pro 23:10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Pro 23:11

Pro 23:11for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Saying 12

Pro 23:12

Pro 23:12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Saying 13

Pro 23:13

Pro 23:13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.

Pro 23:14

Pro 23:14Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Saying 14

Pro 23:15

Pro 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;

Pro 23:16

Pro 23:16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Saying 15

Pro 23:17

Pro 23:17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

Pro 23:18

Pro 23:18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Saying 16

Pro 23:19

Pro 23:19Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

Pro 23:20

Pro 23:20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,

Pro 23:21

Pro 23:21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Saying 17

Pro 23:22

Pro 23:22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Pro 23:23

Pro 23:23Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.

Pro 23:24

Pro 23:24The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

Pro 23:25

Pro 23:25May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

Saying 18

Pro 23:26

Pro 23:26My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,

Pro 23:27

Pro 23:27for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

Pro 23:28

Pro 23:28Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Saying 19

Pro 23:29

Pro 23:29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Pro 23:30

Pro 23:30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

Pro 23:31

Pro 23:31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

Pro 23:32

Pro 23:32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Pro 23:33

Pro 23:33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

Pro 23:34

Pro 23:34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

Pro 23:35

Pro 23:35“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(23:1)

Or who

(23:7)

Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is

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