Proverbs 23:1-14 ▼

1 When thou sittest to eate with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee,

2 And put the knife to thy throte, if thou be a man giuen to the appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his deintie meates: for it is a deceiuable meate.

4 Trauaile not too much to be rich: but cease from thy wisdome.

5 Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? For riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.

6 Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euil eye, neither desire his deintie meates.

7 For as though he thought it in his heart, so will hee say vnto thee, Eate and drinke: but his heart is not with thee.

8 Thou shalt vomit thy morsels that thou hast eaten, and thou shalt lose thy sweete wordes.

9 Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.

10 Remooue not the ancient boundes, and enter not into the fieldes of the fatherlesse.

11 For he that redeemeth them, is mightie: he will defend their cause against thee.

12 Apply thine heart to instruction, and thine eares to the wordes of knowledge.

13 Withhold not correction from the childe: if thou smite him with the rodde, he shall not die.

14 Thou shalt smite him with the rodde, and shalt deliuer his soule from hell.