Reflections on Proverbs 23

 

Proverbs 23 (Contemporary English Version)


1. When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners.
   
2. Don't go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat.
   
3. Don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty.
   
4. Give up trying so hard to get rich.
   
5. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
   
6. Don't accept an invitation to eat a selfish person's food, no matter how good it is.
   
7. People like that take note of how much you eat. They say, "Take all you want!" But they don't mean it.
   
8. Each bite will come back up, and all your kind words will be wasted.
   
9. Don't talk to fools-- they will just make fun.
   
10. Don't move a boundary marker or take the land that belongs to orphans.
    
11. God All-Powerful is there to defend them against you.
    
12. Listen to instruction and do your best to learn.
    
13. Don't fail to correct your children. You won't kill them by being firm,
    
14. and it may even save their lives.
    
15. My children, if you show good sense, I will be happy,
    
16. and if you are truthful, I will really be glad.
    
17. Don't be jealous of sinners, but always honor the LORD.
    
18. Then you will truly have hope for the future.
    
19. Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path.
    
20. Don't be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food.
    
21. It will make you feel drowsy, and you will end up poor with only rags to wear.
    
22. Pay attention to your father, and don't neglect your mother when she grows old.
    
23. Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don't part with them.
    
24. Make your father truly happy by living right and showing sound judgment.
    
25. Make your parents proud, especially your mother.
    
26. My son, pay close attention, and gladly follow my example.
    
27. Bad women and unfaithful wives are like a deep pit--
    
28. they are waiting to attack you like a gang of robbers with victim after victim.
    
29. Who is always in trouble? Who argues and fights? Who has cuts and bruises? Whose eyes are red?
    
30. Everyone who stays up late, having just one more drink.
    
31. Don't even look at that colorful stuff bubbling up in the glass! It goes down so easily,
    
32. but later it bites like a poisonous snake.
    
33. You will see weird things, and your mind will play tricks on you.
    
34. You will feel tossed about like someone trying to sleep on a ship in a storm.
    
35. You will be bruised all over, without even remembering how it all happened. And you will lie awake asking, "When will morning come, so I can drink some more?"
    

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A shift in style took place toward the end of chapter 22. At that point Solomon began with 30 wise sayings that are a combination of ones he has borrowed as well as his own. With these sayings there is also a shift from one-verse statements to two and three verse instructions. Another shift is in the topics it covers, keeping some of the same topics, but broadening the scope.

Among the sayings in this chapter I would categorize some as dealing with development of one's own character and others as just smart conduct. For instance, it is smart conduct not to be a glutton at the king's table. It may be a wonderful opportunity with great food, but it will not make the impression you wish to make. Another is not to eat a stingy person's food. It will place a strain on the relationship - on him because he is counting the cost of what you are eating, and on you for the same reason. Another is not to give insight to a fool. Beside the fact he will not value the insight he may despise you for giving it. This counsel goes contrary to what some people think. They believe they have an obligation to give insight where it is sadly lacking, or at least they feel guilty if they have not spoken. Solomon says here it is better not to speak.

Then there is the counsel regarding character development. Much of it Solomon has already touched on in previous chapters. It includes: Don't associate with drunkards, don't expend yourself trying to get rich, don't be jealous of sinners, avoid the prostitute, and apply yourself to instruction, even if you have to pay for it. I would also include in this category of character development instructions concerning parents. Respect and honor of parents is a mark of character. Solomon says to listen to the instructions of your father. Also, don't despise your mother when she is old. For the young person interested is showing respect to his parents, Solomon says that a father's heart rejoices when a son's heart is wise. And for when the son is a parent himself, Solomon says not to withhold correction to his own son, for it will rescue his life. When done in the proper spirit, correction of a child can be one of the greatest forms of love. It is love that is willing to do what is difficult for the betterment of the child.