Proverbs 23:1-14 ▼

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently him that 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; seeing they are deceitful meat.

4 Weary not thyself 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, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

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

7 For as he reckoneth within himself, 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 hearing of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

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

11 For their redeemer is strong; he shall plead their cause against thee.

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

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

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