Proverbs 23 - GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
pay close attention to what is in front of you,
2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.
3 Do not crave his delicacies,
because this is food that deceives you.

4 Do not wear yourself out getting rich.
Be smart enough to stop.
5 Will you catch only a fleeting glimpse of wealth before it is gone?
It makes wings for itself like an eagle flying into the sky.

6 Do not eat the food of one who is stingy,
and do not crave his delicacies.
7 As he calculates the cost to himself, this is what he does:
He tells you, “Eat and drink,”
but he doesn’t really mean it.
8 You will vomit the little bit you have eaten
and spoil your pleasant conversation.

9 Do not talk directly to a fool,
because he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not move an ancient boundary marker
or enter fields that belong to orphans,
11 because the one who is responsible for them is strong.
He will plead their case against you.

Learning from Your Father

12 Live a more disciplined life,
and listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13 Do not hesitate to discipline a child.
If you spank him, he will not die.
14 Spank him yourself,
and you will save his soul from hell.

15 My son,
if you have a wise heart,
my heart will rejoice as well.
16 My heart rejoices when you speak what is right.

17 Do not envy sinners in your heart.
Instead, continue to fear the Lord.
18 There is indeed a future,
and your hope will never be cut off.

19 My son,
listen, be wise,
and keep your mind going in the right direction.
20 Do not associate with those who drink too much wine,
with those who eat too much meat,
21 because both a drunk and a glutton will become poor.
Drowsiness will dress a person in rags.

22 Listen to your father since you are his son,
and do not despise your mother because she is old.
23 Buy truth (and do not sell it),
⌞that is,⌟ buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
24 A righteous person’s father will certainly rejoice.
Someone who has a wise son will enjoy him.
25 May your father and your mother be glad.
May she who gave birth to you rejoice.

26 My son,
give me your heart.
Let your eyes find happiness in my ways.
27 A prostitute is a deep pit.
A loose woman is a narrow well.
28 She is like a robber, lying in ambush.
She spreads unfaithfulness throughout society.

29 Who has trouble?
Who has misery?
Who has quarrels?
Who has a complaint?
Who has wounds for no reason?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who drink glass after glass of wine
and mix it with everything.
31 Do not look at wine
because it is red,
because it sparkles in the cup,
because it goes down smoothly.
32 Later it bites like a snake
and strikes like a poisonous snake.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mouth will say embarrassing things.
34 You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea
or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying,
35 “They strike me, but I feel no pain.
They beat me, but I’m not aware of it.
Whenever I wake up, I’m going to look for another drink.”

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Proverbs 23 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Thou considerest diligently that which [is] before thee, 2 And thou hast put a knife to thy throat, If thou [art] a man of appetite. 3 Have no desire to his dainties, seeing it [is] lying food. 4 Labour not to make wealth, From thine own understanding cease,...
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Proverbs 23 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

23 When thou sittest to eat with the prince, perceive thou diligently what things be set before thy face, 2 and set thou a coulter in thy throat. If nevertheless thou hast power on thy soul, (and set thou a knife at thy own throat, if thou hast not power over thy self.) 3 desire thou not of his meat...
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Proverbs 23 - World English Bible (WEB)

23 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;2 put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.3 Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.4 Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.5 Why do you set your eyes...
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Proverbs 23 - The Voice (VOICE)

23 When sitting down to eat with a ruler, take a moment to think about who you are with and what you are doing.2 If you are the type who eats too much too fast, do whatever is necessary to curb your enthusiasm for food.3 Also, do not eye the ruler’s delicacies, for the food may not be what it seems....
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Proverbs 23 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Advice About Appetites23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,consider carefully what is set before you,2 and put a knife to your throatif you possess a large appetite.3 Do not crave his delicacies,for that food is deceptive. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich.Be wise enough to restrain yourse...
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Proverbs 23 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what[a] is before you;2 and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist.5 When your eyes light upon it, ...
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Proverbs 23 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what[a] is before you;2 and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist.5 When your eyes light upon it, ...
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Proverbs 23 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what[a] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.3 Do not desire the ruler’s[b] delicacies, for they are deceptive food.4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist.5 When your eyes light...
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Proverbs 23 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

23 When you sit down to eat with an official, observe carefully what[a] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.3 Do not desire an official’s[b] delicacies, for they are deceptive food.(A)4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist.(B)5 When you...
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Proverbs 23 - New Living Translation (NLT)

23 While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you.2 If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat;3 don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you. 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.5 In the blink of an ey...
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Proverbs 23 - New Life Version (NLV)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, think about what is in front of you. 2 Put a knife to your neck if you are a man who is given to much eating. 3 Do not desire his special foods, for they are put there for no good reason. 4 Do not work hard to be rich. Stop trying to get things for yoursel...
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Proverbs 23 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Listen to Your Father23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,Consider carefully what is before you;2 And put a knife to your throatIf you are a man given to appetite.3 Do not desire his delicacies,For they are deceptive food. 4 (A)Do not overwork to be rich;(B)Because of your own understanding, cea...
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Proverbs 23 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Saying 723 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what[a] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Saying 84 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.5 Cast but a glance ...
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Proverbs 23 - New International Version (NIV)

Saying 723 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what[a] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.3 Do not crave his delicacies,(A) for that food is deceptive. Saying 84 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.5 Cast but a glan...
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Proverbs 23 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Saying 723 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what’s in front of you.2 Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.3 Don’t long for his fancy food. It can fool you. Saying 84 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich. Don’t trust how wise you think you are.5 When you take ...
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Proverbs 23 - New English Translation (NET)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,consider carefully[a] what[b] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat[c]if you possess a large appetite.[d]3 Do not crave that ruler’s[e] delicacies,for[f] that food is deceptive.[g]4 Do not wear yourself out to become rich;be wise enough to restrain y...
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