3.1 KiB
Chapter 23
- While dining with a ruler,
pay attention to what is put before you.
- If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;
- don't desire all the delicacies,
for he might be trying to trick you.
- Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
- In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.
- Don't eat with people who are stingy;
don't desire their delicacies.
- They are always thinking about how much it costs.
"Eat and drink," they say, but they don't mean it.
- You will throw up what little you've eaten,
and your compliments will be wasted.
- Don't waste your breath on fools,
for they will despise the wisest advice.
- Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;
don't take the land of defenseless orphans.
- For their Redeemer is strong;
he himself will bring their charges against you.
- Commit yourself to instruction;
listen carefully to words of knowledge.
- Don't fail to discipline your children.
The rod of punishment won't kill them.
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Physical discipline may well save them from death.
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My child, if your heart is wise,
my own heart will rejoice!
- Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.
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Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD.
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You will be rewarded for this;
your hope will not be disappointed.
- My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course.
- Do not carouse with drunkards
or feast with gluttons,
- for they are on their way to poverty,
and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
- Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don't despise your mother when she is old.
- Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
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The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
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So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.
- O my son, give me your heart.
May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
- A prostitute is a dangerous trap;
a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.
- She hides and waits like a robber,
eager to make more men unfaithful.
- Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
- It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.
- Don't gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
- For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper.
- You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.
- You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.
- And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it.
I didn't even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?"