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Proverbs 23

1

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

2

And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

3

Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

1
4

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

6

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

8

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

9

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

10

Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

11

For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

1
10
12

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

1
13

Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

14

Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

1
15

My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

13
16

Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

17

Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

18

For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

19

Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

20

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

21

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

22

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

23

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

25

Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

26

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

27

For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28

She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

29

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30

They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

32

At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

33

Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

34

Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

35

They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

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Proverbs 23

Chapter 23 opens the "Words of the Wise" section (22:17-24:34) and addresses specific topics with more extended treatment than the brief couplets of the first collection, beginning with counsel about eating with rulers, the deceptiveness of wealth, and the dangers of gluttony and wine. The chapter emphasizes careful discernment and self-control in eating, particularly when dining with the powerful, advising not to covet his delicacies for they are deceptive food, establishing that ambition and greed for favor often lead to moral compromise. The chapter devotes significant attention to wine and strong drink, declaring repeatedly that wine mocks the drinker and strong drink makes one reckless, and warning that one should not look at wine when it sparkles and flows smoothly for in the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder, creating a vivid portrait of addiction's deceptive progress. A moving exhortation addresses the son directly: listen to your father and do not despise your mother when she is old, establishing filial piety as a fundamental obligation. Memorable images include the fence and lamp (possibly warning against boundary-crossing and keeping one's path illuminated), and the strong man becoming stronger still through striving. Chapter 23 demonstrates that the "Words of the Wise" counsel more sustained engagement with complex temptations and vices, offering not just brief observations but extended warnings about how certain seductions operate and gradually enslave.

Proverbs 23:1

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you—a practical instruction about self-discipline in the presence of the powerful, establishing that eating with authorities requires caution and restraint. The verb 'note well' (bin) suggests careful observation; one should attend to more than the food. The implied warning is not to lose control of oneself through indulgence. The theological significance involves the principle that the presence of the powerful requires heightened self-awareness.

Proverbs 23:2

Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony—a hyperbolic exhortation to extreme self-control regarding appetite, establishing that controlling appetite matters enough to justify desperate measures (metaphorically). The image is grotesque intentionally; it emphasizes the severity of the struggle against gluttony. The theological significance involves the principle that self-control is difficult and requires radical commitment.

Proverbs 23:3

Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive—a warning that attractive food offered by the powerful may be entrapment, establishing that acceptance of such hospitality may obligate one. The word 'deceptive' (sheker) suggests that the food appears one thing but carries hidden meaning. The theological significance involves the principle that acceptance of gifts from the powerful creates obligations.

Proverbs 23:4

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness—an exhortation against obsessive pursuit of wealth or reliance on one's own cunning, establishing that such pursuits exhaust without delivering. The phrase 'wear yourself out' (al-yigah) describes exhaustion; the pursuit of wealth consumes. The theological significance involves the principle that security comes from God, not from frantic accumulation.

Proverbs 23:5

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle—a vivid metaphor for wealth's ephemerality, establishing that riches are unstable and subject to sudden loss. The image of wings suggests flight; wealth vanishes as suddenly as a bird. The theological significance involves the principle that material security is illusory; only God provides lasting stability.

Proverbs 23:6

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies—a warning to avoid dependency on the stingy person, establishing that their hospitality comes with strings attached. The adjective 'stingy' (ra'ah) suggests that his eye is evil; he begrudges what he gives. The theological significance involves the principle that gratitude should flow to those who give generously, not grudgingly.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you—a penetrating observation that inward disposition reveals itself in duplicity, establishing that external courtesy may mask inner withholding. The clause 'thinks in his heart' (shaph bilvav) describes internal orientation; his thoughts reveal his true nature. The parallelism (what he says versus what he thinks) shows the contradiction. The theological significance involves the principle that God judges the heart, not merely the external action.

Proverbs 23:8

You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments—a consequence of eating with the stingy person: the experience becomes nauseating, leaving the guest worse off. The image of vomiting is crude intentionally; it emphasizes the rejection of contaminated generosity. The theological significance involves the principle that false fellowship becomes toxic.

Proverbs 23:9

Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn your prudent words—a practical instruction to avoid wasting wisdom on the foolish, establishing that the fool rejects correction. The verb 'scorn' (buz) describes contempt; the fool dismisses wise counsel. The theological significance involves the principle that not all are receptive to wisdom and energy spent on the unreceptive is wasted.

Proverbs 23:10

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless—a reinforcement of 22:28 with emphasis on particular vulnerability of orphans, establishing that theft from the defenseless is especially heinous. The parallel structure condemns both moving boundary stones and encroaching on orphan property. The theological significance involves the principle that God has special concern for the vulnerable.

Proverbs 23:11

For their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you—an assurance that God defends the vulnerable orphan, that exploiting them invokes God's opposition. The word 'Defender' (Goalum) is the kinsman-redeemer, God who takes on the role of guardian for the unprotected. The theological significance involves the comfort that God actively advocates for the defenseless.

Proverbs 23:12

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge—an exhortation toward receptive learning, establishing that wisdom requires intentional cultivation of both heart and ear. The parallelism 'heart to instruction, ears to words' emphasizes dual receptivity. The theological significance involves the principle that learning is active, involving the whole person.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die—an exhortation to parents to administer corporal discipline without fear, establishing that such discipline, when not excessive, is both permissible and necessary. The assurance 'he will not die' suggests that reasonable discipline does not cause permanent harm. The theological significance involves the principle that parental discipline is an expression of love.

Proverbs 23:14

Strike him with the rod and save his soul from death—an affirmation that discipline is salvific, that it prevents worse outcomes (moral death, destruction). The verb 'save' (natzel) describes rescue; discipline rescues the child. The theological significance involves the principle that corrective suffering, when applied lovingly, serves the child's ultimate good.

Proverbs 23:15

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad—a father's declaration that his own joy is bound up in his son's wisdom, establishing that parental happiness depends on filial righteousness. The emotion 'glad' (yismach) describes rejoicing; the parent's fulfillment is found in the child's virtue. The theological significance involves the principle of intergenerational blessing.

Proverbs 23:16

My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right—an amplification of 23:15, emphasizing that the father's deepest self is affected by the son's speech. The phrase 'inmost being' (kilyot) describes the innermost parts; the parent is transformed by the child's righteousness. The theological significance involves the principle that our choices affect not merely ourselves but those who love us.

Proverbs 23:17

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD—an exhortation to resist envy of the wicked who appear to prosper, establishing that the remedy is zealous devotion to God. The verb 'envy' (qanah) describes covetous desire; the temptation is to want what the wicked have. The counter is not to suppress envy through willpower but to redirect zeal toward the fear of God. The theological significance involves the principle that fear of the LORD is the antidote to worldly envy.

Proverbs 23:18

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off—an assurance that the one who fears God has grounds for hope, that righteousness has a future while wickedness does not. The phrase 'future hope' (acharit tikvah) suggests an end in view; the righteous path leads somewhere good. The theological significance involves the principle that God's justice guarantees ultimate vindication for the righteous.

Proverbs 23:19

Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart along the right path—a father's appeal to his son's better nature, establishing that wisdom and righteousness are available choices. The imperative 'listen' and 'be wise' suggests that wisdom can be chosen; it is not merely circumstantial. The theological significance involves the principle of human responsibility for moral formation.

Proverbs 23:20

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat—an exhortation to avoid fellowship with the glutton and drunkard, establishing that such companions draw one toward their vices. The parallelism condemns both drunkenness and gluttony. The theological significance involves the principle that we become like those we associate with.

Proverbs 23:21

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags—a consequence of indulgence: poverty and degradation follow. The verb 'clothes them in rags' (yalbesh beged) suggests that they are literally dressed in tatters; their condition is visible. The theological significance involves the principle that vice produces its own punishment.

Proverbs 23:22

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old—a command to honor aging parents, establishing that filial duty intensifies as parents age and become vulnerable. The verb 'do not despise' (lo tebuz) describes refusing to treat with contempt. The theological significance involves the principle that honoring parents is a lifelong obligation.

Proverbs 23:23

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding—an exhortation to value and acquire truth at any cost, establishing that truth is not a commodity to be traded away. The verb 'buy' suggests purchasing at a price; truth requires investment. The phrase 'do not sell' suggests that possession of truth creates an obligation to maintain it. The theological significance involves the principle that truth is the supreme good worth any sacrifice.

Proverbs 23:24

The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him—an affirmation that parental satisfaction comes through filial righteousness, establishing the intergenerational transmission of blessing. The parallelism 'joy in righteous child, rejoice in wise son' is emphatic. The theological significance involves the principle that character is the true family inheritance.

Proverbs 23:25

May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice—a benediction on the honorable child, establishing that filial righteousness brings parental blessing. The dual address to both parents suggests both have stake in the child's virtue. The theological significance involves the principle of blessing flowing from honor.

Proverbs 23:26

My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways—a father's plea for his son's full attention and allegiance, establishing that formation requires not mere compliance but committed heart. The parallelism 'give me your heart, eyes keep to my ways' suggests both internal (heart) and external (eyes/observation) attention. The theological significance involves the principle that learning requires wholehearted attention.

Proverbs 23:27

For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well—a metaphorical warning about sexual temptation, establishing that the seductress is fundamentally dangerous, creating inescapable traps. The metaphors 'deep pit' and 'narrow well' both describe inescapable enclosure. The theological significance involves the principle that sexual sin is uniquely dangerous because it entraps.

Proverbs 23:28

Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men—a portrait of the seductress as predatory, establishing that she actively hunts victims and that her victims accumulate. The verb 'lies in wait' (araba) describes ambush; she is intentional in her predation. The theological significance involves the principle that sexual temptation often operates as deception and entrapment.

Proverbs 23:29

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?—a series of rhetorical questions setting up the description of the drunkard's condition. The progression moves from emotional (woe, sorrow) to relational (strife, complaints) to physical (bruises, bloodshot eyes). The theological significance involves the principle that drunkenness produces comprehensive destruction.

Proverbs 23:30

Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine—a description of those caught in the culture of drinking, establishing that lingering in wine-culture deepens the trap. The phrase 'linger over wine' (arukim al-hayayin) describes habitual indulgence. The theological significance involves the principle that habits deepen into captivity.

Proverbs 23:31

Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!—a warning to avoid even looking at alcohol, establishing that temptation begins with the gaze. The adjectives 'red' and 'sparkles' describe wine's attractiveness; the sensory appeal is deliberately emphasized. The theological significance involves the principle of preemptive resistance: wisdom avoids the occasion of temptation.

Proverbs 23:32

In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper—a vivid metaphor for alcohol's delayed harm, establishing that initial pleasure turns to pain. The verbs 'bites' and 'poisons' describe lethal attack; the danger arrives after initial consumption. The theological significance involves the principle that temptation's true nature is revealed only in consequence.

Proverbs 23:33

Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things—a description of drunkenness's cognitive effects, establishing that alcohol destroys perception and rationality. The phrase 'strange sights' (zar yiru) describes altered perception; alcohol creates hallucinations. The theological significance involves the principle that sobriety is necessary for accurate perception of reality.

Proverbs 23:34

You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging—a vivid image of the drunkard's precarious helplessness, establishing that intoxication creates danger through loss of control. The helplessness of one sleeping in a dangerous place emphasizes vulnerability. The theological significance involves the principle that loss of self-control is loss of safety.

Proverbs 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?'—a portrayal of the drunkard's progressive loss of reality and moral sense, establishing that addiction creates a cycle of denial and continued harm. The clause 'when will I wake up so I can find another drink' reveals that the drunkard's desire for the substance overrides concern for harm. The theological significance involves the principle that addiction enslaves the will and corrupts rationality.