Proverbs 23

1When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;Cross-references: Gen 43:32 · Jude 1:12

2put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.Cross-references: Matt 18:8 · 1Cor 9:27 · Phil 3:19

3Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.Cross-references: Ps 141:4 · Prov 23:6 · Dan 1:8 · Luke 21:34 · Eph 4:22

4Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.Cross-references: Prov 3:5 · Prov 3:7 · Prov 15:27 · Prov 26:12 · Prov 28:20 · Isa 5:21 · +6 more

5Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.Cross-references: Gen 42:36 · Job 1:14 · Ps 39:6 · Ps 119:36 · Prov 27:24 · Eccl 1:2 · +9 more

6Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies,Cross-references: Deut 15:9 · Deut 28:56 · Ps 141:4 · Prov 22:9 · Prov 23:3 · Prov 28:22 · +3 more

7for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.Cross-references: Judg 16:15 · 2Sam 13:26 · Ps 12:2 · Ps 55:21 · Prov 19:22 · Dan 11:27 · +3 more

8You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.

9Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.Cross-references: Prov 1:7 · Prov 9:7 · Prov 26:4 · Isa 36:21 · Matt 7:6 · Luke 16:14 · +10 more

10Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,Cross-references: Deut 19:14 · Deut 27:17 · Job 6:27 · Job 22:9 · Job 24:2 · Job 24:9 · +8 more

11for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.Cross-references: Ex 22:22 · Deut 27:19 · Job 19:25 · Ps 12:5 · Prov 22:23 · Jer 50:33 · +1 more

12Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.Cross-references: Prov 2:2 · Prov 5:1 · Prov 22:17 · Prov 23:19 · Ezek 33:31 · Matt 13:52 · +1 more

13Don’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.Cross-references: Prov 13:24 · Prov 19:18 · Prov 29:15 · Prov 29:17

14Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.Cross-references: Prov 22:15 · 1Cor 5:5 · 1Cor 11:32

15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine.Cross-references: Prov 1:10 · Prov 2:1 · Prov 4:1 · Prov 10:1 · Prov 15:20 · Prov 23:24 · +13 more

16Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.Cross-references: Prov 8:6 · Eph 4:29 · Eph 5:4 · Col 4:4 · James 3:2

17Don’t let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear Yahweh all day long.Cross-references: Ps 37:1 · Ps 73:3 · Ps 111:10 · Prov 3:31 · Prov 15:16 · Prov 24:1 · +6 more

18Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.Cross-references: Ps 9:18 · Ps 37:37 · Prov 24:14 · Prov 24:20 · Jer 29:11 · Luke 16:25 · +3 more

19Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!Cross-references: Prov 4:10 · Prov 6:6 · Prov 9:6 · Prov 23:12 · Prov 23:26

20Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat;Cross-references: Prov 20:1 · Prov 23:29 · Prov 28:7 · Prov 31:6 · Isa 5:11 · Isa 5:22 · +8 more

21for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.Cross-references: Deut 21:20 · Prov 6:9 · Prov 19:15 · Prov 21:17 · Prov 24:30 · Isa 28:1 · +5 more

22Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.Cross-references: Lev 19:3 · Deut 21:18 · Deut 27:16 · Prov 1:8 · Prov 6:20 · Prov 30:11 · +5 more

23Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.Cross-references: Job 28:12 · Ps 119:72 · Ps 119:127 · Prov 2:2 · Prov 4:5 · Prov 10:1 · +12 more

24The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.Cross-references: 1Ki 1:48 · 1Ki 2:1 · 1Ki 2:9 · Prov 10:1 · Prov 15:20 · Prov 23:15 · +4 more

25Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!Cross-references: 1Chr 4:9 · Prov 17:25 · Luke 1:31 · Luke 1:40 · Luke 1:58 · Luke 11:27

26My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.Cross-references: Deut 6:5 · Ps 107:43 · Ps 119:2 · Ps 119:9 · Prov 3:1 · Prov 4:4 · +9 more

27For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.Cross-references: Prov 22:14

28Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.Cross-references: Num 25:1 · Judg 16:4 · Prov 2:16 · Prov 7:12 · Prov 7:22 · Prov 9:18 · +6 more

29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?Cross-references: Gen 49:12 · 1Sam 25:36 · 2Sam 13:28 · 1Ki 20:16 · Prov 20:1 · Prov 23:21 · +7 more

30Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.Cross-references: Gen 9:21 · Ps 75:8 · Prov 9:2 · Prov 20:1 · Isa 5:11 · Amos 6:6 · +1 more

31Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.Cross-references: 2Sam 11:2 · Job 33:1 · Ps 119:37 · Prov 6:25 · Matt 5:28 · Mark 9:47 · +1 more

32In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.Cross-references: Ex 7:5 · Ex 7:12 · Job 20:16 · Prov 5:11 · Eccl 10:8 · Isa 28:3 · +8 more

33Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.Cross-references: Gen 19:32 · Ps 69:12 · Prov 2:12 · Prov 31:5 · Dan 5:4 · Hos 7:5 · +1 more

34Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:Cross-references: Ex 15:8 · 1Sam 25:33 · 1Sam 30:16 · 2Sam 13:28 · 1Ki 16:9 · 1Ki 20:16 · +5 more

35“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 will look for more.”Cross-references: Deut 29:19 · Prov 26:11 · Prov 27:22 · Isa 22:13 · Isa 56:12 · Jer 5:3 · +4 more