Chapter
23
When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;
put a knife to your throat, if you are a woman given to appetite.
Don't be desirous of her dainties, seeing they are deceitful food.
Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
Don't eat the food of her who has a stingy eye, and don't crave her delicacies:
for as she thinks about the cost, so she is. "Eat and drink!" she says to you, but her heart is not with you.
The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.
Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for she will despise the wisdom of your words.
Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
for their Defender is strong. She will plead their case against you.
Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish her with the rod, she will not die.
Punish her with the rod, and save her soul from Sheol.
My daughter, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:
yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right.
Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.
Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.
Listen, my daughter, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!
Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:
for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Listen to your mother who gave you life, and don't despise your father when he is old.
Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
The mother of the righteous has great joy. Whoever mothers a wise child delights in her.
Let your mother and your father be glad! Let him who bore you rejoice!
My daughter, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
For a philanderer is a deep pit; and a wayward husband is a narrow well.
Yes, he lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among women.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.
Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.
Yes, you will be as she who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as she who lies on top of the rigging:
"They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don't feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another."