Proverbs 23:8-18

8 Your morsel you have eaten, you will vomit it up, and you will waste your pleasant words.

9 In the ears of a fool do not speak, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker, and on the fields of orphans do not encroach;

11 For their redeemer is strong, he himself will plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ear to sayings of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child, if you will beat him with the rod, he will not die.

14 As for you, with the rod you shall beat him, and his life you will save from Sheol.

15 My child, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad--even me!

16 And my {insides} will rejoice when your lips speak what is upright.

17 May your heart not envy the sinners, but [live] in fear of Yahweh {all day}.

18 {Surely} there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "mind"
• [b]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [c]. A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld
• [d]. Or "mind"
• [e]. Literally "kidneys"
• [f]. Or "mind"
• [g]. Literally "all the day"
• [h]. Literally "For if"