Proverbs 23
When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;
The Words of the Wise1
When you sit to eat with a ruler,consider diligently what is before you;
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put a knife to your throat,if you are a man given to appetite.
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Don't be desirous of his dainties,since they are deceitful food.
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Don't weary yourself to be rich.In your wisdom, show restraint.
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Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
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Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye,and don't crave his delicacies:
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for as he thinks about the cost, so he is."Eat and drink!" he says to you,but his heart is not with you.
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The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up,and lose your good words.
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Don't speak in the ears of a fool,for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
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Don't move the ancient boundary stone.Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
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for their Defender is strong.He will plead their case against you.
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Apply your heart to instruction,and your ears to the words of knowledge.
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Don't withhold correction from a child.If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
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Punish him with the rod,and save his soul from Sheol.
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My son, if your heart is wise,then my heart will be glad, even mine:
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yes, my heart will rejoice,when your lips speak what is right.
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Don't let your heart envy sinners;but rather fear the LORD all day long.
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Indeed surely there is a future hope,and your hope will not be cut off.
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Listen, my son, and be wise,and keep your heart on the right path!
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Don't be among ones drinking too much wine,or those who gorge themselves on meat:
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for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
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Listen to your father who gave you life,and don't despise your mother when she is old.
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Buy the truth, and don't sell it.Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
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The father of the righteous has great joy.Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
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Let your father and your mother be glad!Let her who bore you rejoice!
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My son, give me your heart;and let your eyes keep in my ways.
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For a prostitute is a deep pit;and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
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Yes, she lies in wait like a robber,and increases the unfaithful among men.
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Who has woe?Who has sorrow?Who has strife?Who has complaints?Who has needless bruises?Who has bloodshot eyes?
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Those who stay long at the wine;those who go to seek out mixed wine.
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Don't look at the wine when it is red,when it sparkles in the cup,when it goes down smoothly.
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In the end, it bites like a snake,and poisons like a viper.
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Your eyes will see strange things,and your mind will imagine confusing things.
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Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea,or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
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"They hit me, and I was not hurt!They beat me, and I don't feel it!When will I wake up? I can do it again.I can find another."
Pr 23:1-35.
1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.