Proverbs 23:4-23

⁴Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich—be wise enough not to bother!

⁵It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.

⁶Don't accept meal invitations from miserly people; don't be greedy for their fancy food,

⁷for what they're thinking inside is what they really are. They say, “Come on, eat and drink!”—but in their minds they don't really care about you.

⁸You'll vomit up the little pieces you've eaten, and your kind words of appreciation will be wasted.

⁹Don't talk to stupid people because they'll ridicule your wise words.

¹⁰Don't move ancient boundary markers, and don't encroach on fields belonging to orphans,

¹¹for their Protector is powerful and he will plead their case against you.

¹²Focus your mind on instruction; listen intently to words of knowledge.

¹³Don't keep from disciplining your children—a beating won't kill them.

¹⁴If you use physical correction you can save them from death.

¹⁵My son, if you think wisely then I'll be happy;

¹⁶I'll be delighted when you say what's right.

¹⁷Don't think enviously of sinners, but always remember to honor the Lord,

¹⁸for there's definitely a future for you, and your hope will not be crushed.

¹⁹Pay attention, my son, and be wise; make sure your mind concentrates on following the right way.

²⁰Don't join in with people who drink too much wine or who stuff themselves with meat.

²¹For people who get drunk and overeat lose all they've got, and they spend so much time dozing that all they have left to wear is rags.

²²Pay attention to your father, and don't disregard your mother when she's old.

²³Invest in truth—and don't sell it! Invest in wisdom, instruction, and understanding.