Proverbs 23

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what's in front of you.

2 Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.

3 Don't long for his fancy food. It can fool you.

4 Don't wear yourself out to get rich. Be wise enough to say no

5 When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone. They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle.

6 Don't eat the food of anyone who won't share it. Don't long for his fancy food.

7 He is the kind of person who is always thinking about how much it costs. "Eat and drink," he says to you. But he doesn't mean it.

8 You will throw up what little you have eaten. You will have wasted your words of praise.

9 Don't speak to a foolish person. He will laugh at your wise words.

10 Don't move old boundary stones. Don't try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died.

11 The One who guards them is strong. He will stand up for them in court against you.

12 Apply your heart to what you are taught. Listen carefully to words of knowledge.

13 Don't hold back training from a child. If you correct him, he won't die.

14 So correct him. Then you will save him from death

15 My child, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad.

16 Deep down inside, I will be happy when you say what is right.

17 Do not long for what sinners have. But always show great respect for the Lord.

18 There really is hope for you tomorrow. So your hope will not be cut off.

19 My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right path

20 Don't join those who drink too much wine. Don't join those who stuff themselves with meat.

21 Those who drink or eat too much will become poor. If they sleep too much, they'll have to wear rags

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life. Don't hate your mother when she is old.

23 Buy the truth. Don't sell it. Get wisdom, training and understanding.

24 The father of a godly child is very happy. Anyone who has a wise child is glad.

25 May your father and mother be glad. May the woman who gave birth to you be happy.

26 My son, give me your heart. Keep your eyes on the way I live.

27 A prostitute is like a deep pit. A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well.

28 She hides and waits like a thief. She causes many men to sin.

29 Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who argues? Who has problems? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?

30 Those who spend too much time with wine. Or those who like to taste wine that is mixed with spices.

31 Don't look at wine when it is red. Don't look at it when it bubbles in the cup. And don't look at it when it goes down smoothly.

32 In the end it bites like a snake. It bites like a poisonous serpent.

33 Your eyes will see strange sights. Your mind will imagine weird things.

34 You will feel like someone sleeping on the ocean. You will think you are lying among the ropes in a boat.

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?"

Proverbs 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

Verses 1-3 God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no ( proverbs 23:4-5 ) this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long. ( 6-8 ) . Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa. 25:6 Isa. 55:2 |, we may safely partake of the Bread of life. Verse 9 . It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his ( proverbs 23:10-11 ) protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.

Verses 12-16 Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his ( proverbs 23:17-18 ) disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner's prosperity, is at hand.

Verses 19-28 The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, or any thing in this world. The heart is what the great God requires. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none. Look to the rule of God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Particular cautions are given against sins most destructive to wisdom and grace in the soul. It is really a shame to make a god of the belly. Drunkenness stupifies men, and then all goes to ruin. Licentiousness takes away the heart that should be given to God. Take heed of any approaches toward this sin, it is very hard to retreat from it. It bewitches men to their ruin.

Verses 29-35 Solomon warns against drunkenness. Those that would be kept from sin, must keep from all the beginnings of it, and fear coming within reach of its allurements. Foresee the punishment, what it will at last end in, if repentance prevent not. It makes men quarrel. Drunkards wilfully make woe and sorrow for themselves. It makes men impure and insolent. The tongue grows unruly; the heart utters things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility. It stupifies and besots men. They are in danger of death, of damnation; as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, yet feel secure. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are before them; they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them. So lost is a drunkard to virtue and honour, so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it again. With good reason we were bid to stop before the beginning. Who that has common sense would contract a habit, or sell himself to a sin, which tends to such guilt and misery, and exposes a man every day to the danger of dying insensible, and awaking in hell? Wisdom seems in these chapters to take up the discourse as at the beginning of the book. They must be considered as the words of Christ to the sinner.

Chapter Summary

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.