Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 33
page 859 | Proverbs 23
For it is good to keep these sayings in
your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the LORD.
20 I have written thirty sayings* for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21 In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those
who sent you.
18
Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the LORD is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
6
7
8
9
22
Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
10
24
26
27
Don’t agree to guarantee another
person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.
If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from
under you.
28
Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the
ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29
Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
23
2
3
4
5
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.
1
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.
11
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.
12
Commit yourself to instruction;
listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13
Don’t fail to discipline your children.
The rod of punishment won’t kill them.
Physical discipline
may well save them from death.*
14
15
16
17
18
My child,* if your heart is wise,
my own heart will rejoice!
Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.
Don’t envy sinners,
but always continue to fear the LORD.
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.
20 Do not carouse with drunkards
or feast with gluttons,
21 for they are on their way to poverty,
and too much sleep clothes them
in rags.
19
22
Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when
she is old.
22:20 Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. 23:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
23:11 Or redeemer. 23:14 Hebrew from Sheol. 23:15 Hebrew My son; also in 23:19.
23:4-5 Perhaps the most common—and most subtle—sin in our culture today is greed, or materialism.
Many people weary themselves trying to get more and more money so that they can buy more things and
do more things. There is nothing wrong with money itself; it’s the endless pursuit of our own pleasure that
God condemns. True joy comes from serving God and others with the things God has given us.
23:17-18 We often look with envy at people who indulge themselves in sinful pleasures. Such people do
whatever they choose without regard for how their actions affect others (see 24:1, 19-20). In the short
term they have an easy and pleasurable life while those who live righteously have it harder initially. But in
the eternal perspective, those who follow God will receive the greater blessings, and those who live only
for themselves will face judgment.
