| 章 |
| 23:1 |
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
|
| 23:2 |
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
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| 23:3 |
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
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| 23:4 |
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
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| 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.
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| 23:6 |
Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
|
| 23:7 |
for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
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| 23:8 |
You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
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| 23:9 |
Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
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| 23:10 |
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
|
| 23:11 |
for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
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| 23:12 |
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
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| 23:13 |
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
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| 23:14 |
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
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| 23:15 |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
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| 23:16 |
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
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| 23:17 |
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
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| 23:18 |
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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| 23:19 |
Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
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| 23:20 |
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
|
| 23:21 |
for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
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| 23:22 |
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
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| 23:23 |
Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
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| 23:24 |
The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
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| 23:25 |
May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
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| 23:26 |
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
|
| 23:27 |
for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
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| 23:28 |
Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
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| 23:29 |
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
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| 23:30 |
Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
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| 23:31 |
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
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| 23:32 |
In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
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| 23:33 |
Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
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| 23:34 |
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
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| 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?"
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