{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/web/proverbs/23","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-06-09T23:06:54.731Z"},"reference":{"translation":"WEB","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":23,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":22,"nextChapter":24,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":35},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;"},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Don't be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don't crave his delicacies:"},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. |Eat and drink!| he says to you, but his heart is not with you."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:"},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:"},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!"},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:"},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him."},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!"},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men."},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?"},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine."},{"verseNumber":31,"text":"Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly."},{"verseNumber":32,"text":"In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper."},{"verseNumber":33,"text":"Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things."},{"verseNumber":34,"text":"Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:"},{"verseNumber":35,"text":"|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.|"}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 23 (WEB)","markdown":"[Proverbs 23](https://primebible.com/web/proverbs/23)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* WEB. https://primebible.com/web/proverbs/23 (accessed 2026-06-09)."}}