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Proverbs 23 Words of Wisdom and Warnings

1 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what 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.

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies;

7 for he is the kind of man
who is always thinking about the cost.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.

9 Do not speak to a fool,
for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

11 for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

14 Punish him with the rod
and save his soul from death.

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad;

16 my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

18 There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.

20 Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,

21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

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

23 Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

24 The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.

25 May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!

26 My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes keep to my ways,

27 for a prostitute is a deep pit
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

28 Like a bandit she lies in wait,
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!

32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see strange sights
and your mind imagine confusing things.

34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.

35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”

Previous Chapter Proverbs 22 Next Chapter Proverbs 24

Analysis of Proverbs Chapter 23

The book of Proverbs offers a treasure trove of wisdom, and Chapter 23 is no exception. This chapter provides insight into various aspects of human life, including the perils of gluttony, the temptations of wealth, the importance of discipline and education, and the effects of alcohol. It’s structured as a series of proverbs that serve as practical guidance for leading a righteous, prudent life. Let us delve into this chapter to unearth its rich meanings and timeless advice.

Verses 1-3: Wisdom on Moderation and Discernment

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

These verses caution against the dangers of indulgence and the importance of self-control. Sitting to dine with a ruler can be a situation filled with opportunities and pressures. The instruction to “note well what is before you” emphasizes the need for awareness and careful observation. The dramatic advice to “put a knife to your throat” if given to gluttony underscores the seriousness of maintaining moderation and self-discipline. The warning against craving the ruler’s delicacies suggests that not everything that appears appealing is beneficial. The “deceptive” nature of such food could symbolize broader temptations and traps in seeking favor with influential people.

Verses 4-5: The Futility of Riches

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Here, wealth and its pursuit are scrutinized. The advice “do not wear yourself out to get rich” is a reminder of the impermanence and instability of material wealth. Trusting one’s cleverness in the pursuit of riches is cautioned against, implying that human wisdom and effort alone are insufficient. The vivid imagery of riches sprouting wings and flying off like an eagle provides a powerful picture of how fleeting earthly treasures can be. This resonates with the broader biblical teaching that one should seek treasures in heaven rather than temporary earthly gains.

Verses 6-8: The Deceptive Hospitality of a Stingy Person

“Do not eat the food of a stingy host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. ‘Eat and drink,’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.”

These verses serve as a warning about the hospitality of a miserly person. While the host may outwardly offer food and drink, his preoccupation with cost and reluctance to share genuinely undermines the sincerity of his actions. The discrepancy between his words and his heart signifies the inner conflict and deceit. Accepting such hospitality can lead to regret, as it is tainted with insincerity, leading to a feeling of betrayal (symbolized by vomiting up the food) and realizing that flattery towards such a person is in vain.

Verses 9-11: The Value of Wisdom and Respect for the Marginalized

“Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.”

The instruction not to speak to fools acknowledges that wisdom can be wasted on those unwilling to accept it, underscoring the importance of discerning one’s audience. The verses then shift to a strong moral injunction: protecting the rights of the marginalized, such as the fatherless. The reference to the ancient boundary stone suggests respecting property and inheritance laws. Encroaching on the fields of the fatherless is more than a legal issue; it’s a moral and ethical transgression. Their “Defender” (God) is portrayed as a powerful advocate who ensures justice, highlighting divine care for the vulnerable.

Verses 12-18: Embracing Discipline and the Importance of Instruction

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

This section highlights the necessity of discipline and wisdom. Parents are encouraged to apply their hearts to instruction and listen to words of knowledge. The controversial mention of punishing a child with the rod must be understood in its historical and cultural context; it emphasizes the importance of discipline in guiding children away from harmful behaviors. The joy that a parent feels when a child embodies wisdom is deeply personal and profound. The admonishment not to envy sinners but to remain zealous in the fear of the Lord serves as a profound reminder that true and lasting hope lies in righteousness and reverence for God.

Verses 19-21: Warnings Against Excess

“Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”

These verses offer practical advice against excess, particularly in terms of alcohol and food. The directive to “set your heart on the right path” emphasizes intentional living and conscious decision-making. The warning against joining those who indulge excessively in wine and meat is a caution against adopting destructive habits. Drunkenness and gluttony can lead to poverty and ruin, symbolized by drowsiness and rags. This reinforces the overarching theme of moderation and the dangers of overindulgence.

Verses 22-25: Respecting Parents and Glorifying Wisdom

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!”

This passage champions respect for parents and the continual pursuit of wisdom. Listening to one’s father and not despising one’s mother, especially in her old age, are acts of honoring one’s parents. The phrase “buy the truth and do not sell it” suggests that wisdom, instruction, and insight are invaluable treasures worth any cost but should not be bartered away. The joy and pride parents feel for a righteous and wise child highlight the intergenerational blessings of wisdom. A parent’s joy in a child’s righteousness is a profound source of familial happiness.

Verses 26-28: The Dangers of Adultery

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.”

This segment utilizes vivid metaphors to warn against adultery. By asking for the son’s heart and inviting him to delight in righteous ways, the speaker underscores the importance of commitment to virtuous living. The adulterous woman, described as a “deep pit” and “narrow well,” emphasizes the danger and entrapment associated with infidelity. Adultery can ensnare and devastate, leading individuals away from righteousness. The imagery of a bandit lying in wait highlights the seductive and destructive nature of such relationships.

Verses 29-35: Effects of Alcohol

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’”

The final verses of the chapter provide a stark warning about the dangers and destructive effects of alcohol abuse. The rhetorical questions highlight the misery caused by excessive drinking: woe, sorrow, strife, complaints, bruises, and bloodshot eyes. The advice against gazing at wine taps into the initial allure and subsequent dangers of alcohol: it “bites like a snake” and poisons like a viper. The hallucinations (“strange sights”) and delusions (“confusing things”) are symptoms of overindulgence. The comparison to being on the high seas underlines the instability and helplessness felt by those under the influence. The final lament of awakening only to seek another drink illustrates the vicious cycle of addiction and the craving for escapism.

Conclusion

Proverbs Chapter 23 is a richly layered text offering profound insights into human behavior, the importance of wisdom, and the consequences of indulgence. From admonishing against gluttony to warning about the fleeting nature of riches, this chapter provides numerous practical life lessons. The emphasis on discipline, respect for parents, and the dangers of overindulgence in alcohol and worldly pleasures serve as enduring moral and spiritual guidance. Each verse contributes to a holistic understanding of leading a life anchored in wisdom, moderation, and reverence for God.