Proverbs 23

1 When you sit down [to dwell, to remain] to dine [to feed on, to eat] with a ruler [a king, one who has power], consider [to understand, to discern] carefully [diligently, with thoughtful attention] what is set [placed, put] before you [in your presence, before your face], word study 2 and put a knife [sharp edged tool, for cutting] to your throat [gullet, neck] if you possess [are master of, have control over] a great [big, strong] appetite [desire for food, craving]. word study 3 Do not [refrain from, let not be] crave [strongly desire, long for] his delicacies [fine food, dainties, deceitful meat], for that food [bread, provision] is [can be, proves to be] deceptive [deceitful, lying, false]. word study 4 Do not [refrain from, cease] wear yourself out [become exhausted, toil] to get rich [to enrich, acquire wealth]; be wise [having discernment, understanding] enough to restrain [set bounds to, stop] yourself [from your own wisdom, desires]. word study 5 When you glance [cast your eyes upon] at wealth [riches, material possessions], it disappears [vanishes, is gone], for it makes [creates, brings into being] wings [the ability to fly away, escape] for itself and flies [soars, takes to the air] like an eagle [a bird of prey] to the sky [heaven, the heavens]. word study 6 Do not [refrain from, let not be] eat the bread [food, grain] of a stingy [having an evil eye, envious] man, and do not [let not be] crave [desire strongly, long for] his delicacies [dainty meats, fine food, savory treats]; word study 7 for he is keeping track [thinking in his heart], inwardly counting the cost [estimating, as a gatekeeper]. “Eat [devour, consume] and drink [feast, indulge],” he says [speaks, commands] to you, but his heart [feelings, will, intellect] is not [absent, non-existent] with you [together, in accompaniment]. word study 8 You will vomit up [spue out, throw back] what little [a morsel, a small piece] you have eaten [devoured, consumed] and waste [lose, ruin] your pleasant [sweet, delightful] words [sayings, expressions]. word study 9 Do not [refrain from, let not be] speak to a fool [stupid person, one who rejects God], for he will despise [hold in contempt, scorn] the wisdom [understanding, prudence] of your words [speech, utterance]. word study 10 Do not [remove, touch] move an ancient [old, long-standing] boundary stone [landmark, border] or encroach [enter, trespass] on the fields [lands, possessions] of the fatherless [orphans, those without a father], word study 11 for their Redeemer [mighty Protector, strong Defender] is strong [powerful, severe]; He will take up [plead, contend for] their case [cause, strife] against you [with thee, in court]. word study 12 Apply [focus, give attention to] your heart [inner being, mind, and spirit] to instruction [discipline, correction, and guidance] and your ears [ability to hear and listen] to words [sayings, teachings, and commands] of knowledge [understanding, wisdom, and insight]. word study 13 Do not [refuse to, withhold from] withhold discipline [correction, training, chastisement] from a child [youth, young person]; although you strike [smite, beat] him with a rod [staff], he will not [certainly not, absolutely not] die [perish, come to an end]. word study 14 Strike [punish, smite] him with a rod [a stick, staff], and you will deliver [rescue, save] his soul [living being, essence] from Sheol [the underworld, hell, grave] [a place of no return, the abode of the dead]. word study 15 My son [child, descendant], if your heart [center of feelings, will, and intellect] is wise [having good judgment, acting intelligently], my own heart [inner being, emotions] will indeed rejoice [be glad, delighted]. word study 16 My [innermost being, heart] inmost being will rejoice [exult, jump for joy] when your lips [language, words] speak [declare, utter] what is right [upright, just, righteous]. word study 17 Do not let [let it happen, allow] your heart [the center of feelings, will, and intellect] envy [be jealous of, resent] sinners [those who have committed a crime or sin, the unrighteous], but always [continually, all the day long] continue [walk, abide] in the fear [reverence, respect, awe] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 18 For surely [without doubt, certainly] there is a future [end, posterity, what comes after], and your hope [expectation, cord of expectancy] will not be cut off [destroyed, severed, brought to an end]. word study 19 Listen [pay attention, hear and obey], my son [child, descendant], and be wise [have good judgment, act intelligently], and guide [lead, direct] your heart [feelings, will, intellect] on the right [straight, upright] course [way, path, manner of life]. word study 20 Do not [refuse to, let not be] join those who drink [imbibe, consume excessively] too much wine [intoxicating beverage, strong drink] or [also, in addition to] gorge [gluttonously eat, stuff] themselves on meat [flesh, animal products]. word study 21 For the drunkard [one who overindulges in drink] and the glutton [given to excessive eating, morally loose] will come to poverty [a state of need, lack], and drowsiness [a state of sleepiness, laziness] will clothe them in rags [torn and worn-out clothing]. word study 22 Listen [hear and obey, pay attention] to your father [the one who begat you, gave you life] who gave you life, and do not [refuse, neglect] despise [hold in contempt, show disrespect] your mother [the one who nurtured you] when she is [becomes, grows] old [aged, advanced in years]. word study 23 Invest [buy, acquire] in truth [faithfulness, stability] and never sell [give up, surrender] it— in wisdom [skill, prudence] and instruction [discipline, correction] and understanding [discernment, insight]. word study 24 The father [parent, progenitor] of a righteous [just, upright] man will greatly rejoice [be exceedingly glad, experience joy], and he who fathers [begets, brings into the world] a wise [intelligent, discerning] son will delight [take pleasure, rejoice] in him. word study 25 May your [loving, paternal] father and mother be glad [rejoice, experience joy], and may she who gave you birth [bore, brought forth] rejoice [be joyful, have delight]! word study 26 My son [child, descendant], give me your heart [inner being, emotions, and will], and let your eyes [spritual vision, perception] delight [take pleasure, be pleased] in my ways [path, journey, manner of life]. word study 27 For [because of this reason] a prostitute [harlot, loose woman] is a deep [profound, mysterious] pit [ditch, hollow], and an adulteress [wayward wife, strange woman] is a narrow [tight, confined] well [water-hole, spring]. word study 28 Like a robber [one who takes by force] she lies in wait [as for a prey, secretly] and multiplies [increases, adds to] the faithless [unfaithful, treacherous, acting deceitfully] among men [humanity, the people of Adam]. word study 29 Who has woe [sorrow, deep grief]? Who has sorrow [pain, distress]? Who has contentions [strife, quarrels]? Who has complaints [bitter murmuring, lamentation]? Who has needless wounds [injuries without cause, bruises]? Who has bloodshot eyes [redness of eyes, dullness of vision]? word study 30 Those who linger [tarry long, delay] over wine [fermented drink], who go [approach, come] to taste [search out, examine] mixed drinks [diluted wine, cocktails]. word study 31 Do not gaze [look with desire, stare at] at wine [fermented drink] while it is red [when it is full-bodied, redden], when it sparkles [gives its color, shines brightly] in the cup [container, vessel] and goes down smoothly [pleasantly, with ease, uprightly]. word study 32 In the end [at the last, finally] it bites [like a serpent, with destructive power] like a snake [a viper, a poisonous serpent] and stings [wounds, pierces] like a viper [an adder, a serpent that strikes with deadly precision]. word study 33 Your eyes [the windows of your soul] will see strange things [perverse women, weird visions], and your mind [heart, inner being] will utter perversities [twisted things, confusing thoughts]. word study 34 You will be [like one resting] like one sleeping [in the midst of the sea, or on the rolling ocean] on the high seas [a large body of water] or lying [to rest, sleep, or have a sense of security] on the top [head or chief part] of a mast [a tall pole supporting a ship’s sail, or sail-support]: word study 35 “They struck [hit, smote] me, but I feel [do not sense, am not aware of] no pain [suffering, hurt]! They beat [overcame, drew] me, but I did [was, felt] not know [perceive, understand] it! When [how long, at what time] can I wake up [arise, become awake] to search [seek, look] for another [more, additional] drink [wine, intoxicating beverage]?” word study