Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23 continues Solomon's collection of wise sayings, emphasizing moderation, discipline, and wisdom in various aspects of life. The chapter warns against the dangers of indulgence, poor company, and the pursuit of wealth, while advocating for a heart of wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 23:1-3 (NKJV)
1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what 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.

When dining with someone powerful, it's crucial to exercise self-control and awareness. If you're prone to overindulgence, it is better to restrain yourself. The fine food offered by rulers might look tempting, but it can be manipulative or come with strings attached. Solomon urges restraint to avoid being drawn into a situation where one's appetite could lead to unfavorable consequences.

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

The pursuit of wealth should not consume your life. Overworking in the hope of becoming rich is futile, as wealth is fleeting and can easily vanish. Solomon advises stopping this endless chase, knowing that material things are temporary. Instead, one should seek wisdom and contentment, which are more lasting and valuable than wealth.

Proverbs 23:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, and waste your pleasant words.

Avoid dining with someone who is miserly, as their apparent generosity is insincere. Though they may offer food, their heart is not in it, and their grudging attitude taints the experience. Any enjoyment from the meal will be short-lived, as the guest will feel the weight of the host’s true feelings. Even kind words exchanged in such settings are wasted.

Proverbs 23:9 (NKJV)
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Giving wisdom to someone who lacks understanding or is unwilling to listen is futile. A fool does not appreciate valuable counsel and will only scorn it. Therefore, Solomon suggests avoiding wasting your advice on those who are closed-minded and unreceptive.

Proverbs 23:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
11 For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.

This proverb warns against taking advantage of the vulnerable, particularly orphans. Removing ancient landmarks refers to stealing land by shifting boundary markers, and entering the fields of the fatherless is an act of injustice. God is their protector, and He will ensure justice is served against those who wrong them.

Proverbs 23:12 (NKJV)
12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

Solomon encourages a teachable spirit, urging the reader to open both heart and ears to instruction and knowledge. True wisdom comes from being willing to learn and absorb wise counsel.

Proverbs 23:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14 You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.

Discipline is crucial for raising children. While "beating with a rod" symbolizes corrective discipline, the focus is on guiding a child away from harmful behavior and ultimately saving them from destruction. Loving correction can prevent future ruin, steering the child toward righteousness.

Proverbs 23:15-16 (NKJV)
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.

Solomon expresses joy over the wisdom and righteousness of his child. When the child speaks wisely and makes good decisions, the parent's heart is filled with gladness. This proverb highlights the deep connection between a parent's happiness and a child's wise behavior.

Proverbs 23:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
18 For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.

Rather than envying the temporary success of sinners, one should remain focused on living in reverence for God. There is a future reward for those who honor the Lord, and their hope is secure. Solomon reminds us that eternal blessings await those who choose the path of righteousness.

Proverbs 23:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
20 Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Solomon advises careful decision-making, avoiding the company of those who are habitually drunk or gluttonous. Such lifestyles lead to poverty, and indulgence in excessive drinking or eating brings ruin. The warning emphasizes the importance of self-control and choosing companions wisely.

Proverbs 23:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
25 Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.

Honoring parents, especially in their old age, is a duty emphasized here. Wisdom and truth are precious and should be acquired and never abandoned. A righteous and wise child brings great joy to parents, making them proud and glad. This passage highlights both the pursuit of wisdom and the importance of family relationships.

Proverbs 23:26-28 (NKJV)
26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well.
28 She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.

Solomon warns against the dangers of sexual immorality, using vivid imagery to describe the destruction caused by falling into temptation. A harlot or seductress leads men into ruin, likening the path to a deep pit or narrow well—traps that are difficult to escape. The call is for the son to heed wisdom and avoid these pitfalls.

Proverbs 23:29-35 (NKJV)
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly;
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.
34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

This section graphically describes the consequences of excessive drinking. Alcohol might seem inviting, but it ultimately causes pain, confusion, and self-destruction. Drunkenness leads to impaired judgment, foolish behavior, and physical harm. Despite the adverse effects, those addicted continue seeking more, trapped in a destructive cycle. The proverb serves as a strong warning against the dangers of alcohol abuse.