PROVERBS A CHAPTER A DAY

CHAPTER 23

The comments are interleaved with the text

This is the second collection of wise sayings, and these are not attributed to Solomon

23 

When you sit down to dine with a ruler,

    think carefully about who is before you.

If you have a big appetite,

    put a knife to your throat!

Don’t be greedy for his delicacies,

    for they are deceptive food.

IF YOU’RE DINING WITH PEDIGREE HORSES DON’T EAT LIKE A PIG

4 

Don’t exhaust yourself in pursuit of wealth;

    be smart enough to desist.

If you make your eyes rush at it,

    it’s no longer there!

For wealth will surely grow wings,

    like an eagle flying off to the sky.

BECAUSE WEALTH IS ULTIMATELY CREDIT YOU CAN NEVER TRUST IT

6 

Don’t eat the food of a stingy man;

    don’t be greedy for his delicacies.

For he is like someone who keeps accounts —

“Eat! Drink!” he says to you,

    but he doesn’t really mean it.

The little you eat you will vomit up,

    and your compliments will have been wasted.

SOUNDS SHREWD BUT I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE OF IT

9 

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,

    for he will only despise the common sense in your words.

SADLY TRUE

10 

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone

    or encroach on the land of the fatherless;

for their Redeemer is strong;

    he will take up their fight against you.

GOD IS THE DEFENDER OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. THEY MIGHT PREFER DONALD FINDLAY (notorious Scottish defence counsel)

12 

Apply your mind to discipline

    and your ears to words of knowledge.

FOR SOME TIME I HAVE DONE THIS, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE YEARS BEFORE?

13 

Don’t withhold discipline from a child —

    if you beat him with a stick, he won’t die!

If you beat him with a stick,

    you will save him from the Pit.

A BIBLICAL EXCUSE FOR PSYCHOPATHS

15 

My son, if your heart is wise,

    then my own heart too is glad;

my inmost being rejoices

    when your lips say what is right.

THE WISE PERSON IS HAPPY WHEN OTHERS ARE WISE

17 

Don’t envy sinners, but follow the example

    of those who always fear God

for then you will have a future;

    what you hope for will not be cut off.

PART OF MY FUTURE HAS BEEN CUT OFF. WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

19 

You, my son: listen, be wise,

    and set your mind on the right way.

20 

Don’t be one of those who guzzle wine

    or of those who eat meat to excess,

for both drunkard and glutton will become poor —

    drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

NICELY PUTo

22 

Listen to your father, who gave you life;

    and don’t despise your mother when she gets old.

Buy the truth, don’t sell it,

    also wisdom, discipline and discernment.

A righteous person’s father will be filled with joy;

    yes, he whose son is wise will rejoice in him.

So let your father and mother be glad;

    let her who gave you birth rejoice.

THE HOPES OF GOOD PARENTS; THE PLEASURE OF CHILDREN IN THEIR PARENTS’ APPROVAL

26 

My son, give me your heart;

    let your eyes observe my ways.

A prostitute is a deep ditch,

    and a forbidden woman like a narrow well.

She lies in wait to snatch her prey

    and adds to the number of faithless men.

OH THOSE EVIL WOMEN WHO PREY ON INNOCENT MEN!

29 

Who has misery? Who has regret?

    Who fights and complains all the time?

Who gets bruised for no good reason?

    Who has bloodshot eyes?

Those who spend their time over wine,

    those always trying out mixed drinks.

Don’t gaze at the red wine

    as it gives its color to the cup.

It may glide down smoothly now;

    but in the end, it bites like a serpent —

    yes, it strikes like a poisonous snake.

Your eyes will see peculiar things,

    your mind will utter nonsense.

You will feel as if lying on the waves of the sea

    or sprawled on top of the mast —

“They hit me, but I didn’t feel it!

    They beat me up, and I didn’t even know it!

When will I wake up? . . .

    I’ll go get another drink.”

SADLY TRUE