Open English Translation PROV Chapter 23

23 When you sit down to eat with a political leader,

pay attention to what’s in front of you,

2 and put a knife to your throat,

if you have an enormous appetite.

3 Don’t crave their delicacies,

because it’s the food of lies.

4 Don’t just work to get rich.

Your wisdom should tell you to stop.

5 You glance at wealth then it’ll be gone,

because it’ll make wings for itself and fly away into the sky like an eagle.

6 Don’t eat the food of a stingy person,

and don’t crave for their delicacies,

7 because they’re always calculating internally—

telling you to eat and drink but it’s not really genuine.

8 You’ll vomit up the bit that you’ve eaten

and your pleasant greetings will have been wasted.

9 Don’t bother speaking to a foolish person

because they’ll despise the wise things that you say.

10 Don’t move an ancient boundary marker,

or encroach on the fields of those who are disadvantaged,

11 because the one who watches out for them is strong

and he’ll take up their case against you.

12 Make continual learning part of your values,

and use your ears for gaining knowledge.

13 It’s important to discipline your children.

They won’t die from getting a spanking.

14 Spank them with a stick

and you’ll keep them from the grave.

15 My child, if you value wisdom

then I’ll certainly be very happy.

16 My mind will be celebrating

when your lips speak out what’s right.

17 Don’t let yourself start envying sinners—

instead it should be Yahweh that you respect and strive to obey,

18 because then there’ll certainly be a future.

Your hope for the future won’t be chopped off.

19 My child, listen and become wise,

≈ and channel your values in the right direction.

20 Don’t associate with those drinking too much wine,

≈ or with those who gorge themselves on meat,

21 → because drunkards and gluttons will become impoverished,

≈ and their drowsiness will leave them dressed in rags.

22 Listen to what your father tells you,

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

23 Acquire truth and don’t sell it,

and similarly for wisdom, instruction, understanding.

24 The father of someone who does what’s right will be encouraged.

Yes, whoever fathers a sensible child will be glad.

25 Let your father be happy.

and may your mother celebrate.

26 My child, follow me with sincerity,

≈ and let your eyes observe my ways,

27 because a prostitute is a deep pit,

≈ and an adulteress is a narrow well.

28 They lie in wait like a robber would,

and keep adding to the number of men who become unfaithful.

29 Who has dread or sorrow or contentions?

≈ Who has complaints, or needless wounds, or bloodshot eyes.

30 It’s those who linger over wine,

or try various mixed drinks.

31 Don’t look at wine when it’s red and sparkling in the cup,

and when it would slide down smoothly.

32 → In the end it bites like a snake,

≈ and stings like a viper.

33 → Then your eyes will see strange things,

≈ and perverse things in your mind will get spoken.

34 → You’ll feel like someone sleeping out in the ocean—

≈ just like someone lying down at the top of a mast.

35 You’ll say, “They hit me but it didn’t hurt.

They beat me but I couldn’t feel it.

When will I wake up? I’ll have some more—where is it?”