Proverbs 23:9-19

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.
10 1Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their 2Redeemer is strong; he will 3plead their cause against you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold 4discipline from a child; 5if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14 If you strike him with the rod, you will 6save his soul from Sheol.
15 7My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
16 My 8inmost being[a] will exult when your lips speak 9what is right.
17 Let not your heart 10envy sinners, but continue in 11the fear of the LORD all the day.
18 Surely 12there is a future, and your 13hope will not be cut off.
19 Hear, my son, and 14be wise, and 15direct your heart in the way.

Cross References 15

  • 1. See Proverbs 22:28
  • 2. [Exodus 6:6]; See Job 19:25
  • 3. See Proverbs 22:23
  • 4. See Proverbs 13:24
  • 5. [Proverbs 19:18]
  • 6. [1 Corinthians 5:5]
  • 7. ver. 24, 25; See Proverbs 29:3
  • 8. Psalms 7:9; Psalms 73:21
  • 9. [Proverbs 8:6]
  • 10. See Psalms 37:1
  • 11. [Proverbs 28:14]
  • 12. Proverbs 24:14, 20
  • 13. Psalms 9:18
  • 14. Proverbs 6:6
  • 15. [Proverbs 9:6]

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.