Proverbs 23

1 If you sit down to eat with a ruler, notice the food that is in front of you.

2 Control yourself if you have a big appetite.

3 Don't be greedy for his fine foods, because that food might be a trick.

4 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; be wise enough to control yourself

5 Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye. It can seem to grow wings and fly away like an eagle.

6 Don't eat the food of selfish people; don't be greedy for their fine foods.

7 Selfish people are always worrying about how much the food costs. They tell you, "Eat and drink," but they don't really mean it.

8 You will throw up the little you have eaten, and you will have wasted your kind words.

9 Don't speak to fools; they will only ignore your wise words.

10 Don't move an old stone that marks a border, and don't take fields that belong to orphans.

11 God, their defender, is strong; he will take their side against you.

12 Remember what you are taught, and listen carefully to words of knowledge.

13 Don't fail to punish children. If you spank them, they won't die.

14 If you spank them, you will save them from death

15 My child, if you are wise, then I will be happy.

16 I will be so pleased if you speak what is right.

17 Don't envy sinners, but always respect the Lord.

18 Then you will have hope for the future, and your wishes will come true.

19 Listen, my child, and be wise. Keep your mind on what is right

20 Don't drink too much wine or eat too much food.

21 Those who drink and eat too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not forget your mother when she is old.

23 Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.

24 The father of a good child is very happy; parents who have wise children are glad because of them.

25 Make your father and mother happy; give your mother a reason to be glad.

26 My son, pay attention to me, and watch closely what I do.

27 A prostitute is as dangerous as a deep pit, and an unfaithful wife is like a narrow well.

28 They ambush you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful to their wives.

29 Who has trouble? Who has pain? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30 It is people who drink too much wine, who try out all different kinds of strong drinks.

31 Don't stare at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

32 Later it bites like a snake with poison in its fangs.

33 Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will be confused.

34 You will feel dizzy as if you're in a storm on the ocean, as if you're on top of a ship's sails.

35 You will think, "They hit me, but I'm not hurt. They beat me up, but I don't remember it. I wish I could wake up. Then I would get another drink."

Proverbs 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

Verses 1-3 God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no ( proverbs 23:4-5 ) this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long. ( 6-8 ) . Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa. 25:6 Isa. 55:2 |, we may safely partake of the Bread of life. Verse 9 . It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his ( proverbs 23:10-11 ) protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.

Verses 12-16 Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his ( proverbs 23:17-18 ) disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner's prosperity, is at hand.

Verses 19-28 The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, or any thing in this world. The heart is what the great God requires. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none. Look to the rule of God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Particular cautions are given against sins most destructive to wisdom and grace in the soul. It is really a shame to make a god of the belly. Drunkenness stupifies men, and then all goes to ruin. Licentiousness takes away the heart that should be given to God. Take heed of any approaches toward this sin, it is very hard to retreat from it. It bewitches men to their ruin.

Verses 29-35 Solomon warns against drunkenness. Those that would be kept from sin, must keep from all the beginnings of it, and fear coming within reach of its allurements. Foresee the punishment, what it will at last end in, if repentance prevent not. It makes men quarrel. Drunkards wilfully make woe and sorrow for themselves. It makes men impure and insolent. The tongue grows unruly; the heart utters things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility. It stupifies and besots men. They are in danger of death, of damnation; as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, yet feel secure. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are before them; they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them. So lost is a drunkard to virtue and honour, so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it again. With good reason we were bid to stop before the beginning. Who that has common sense would contract a habit, or sell himself to a sin, which tends to such guilt and misery, and exposes a man every day to the danger of dying insensible, and awaking in hell? Wisdom seems in these chapters to take up the discourse as at the beginning of the book. They must be considered as the words of Christ to the sinner.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.