Proverbs 23:12-Proverbs 24:22 - Learning From Your Father
12 Apply your heart to instruction (discipline), and your ears to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child. If you spank him with a stick he will not die. 14 You will spank him with a stick and deliver him from death.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will also rejoice! 16 Yes, my inmost being rejoices when you speak right things.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but reverence Jehovah all day long. 18 Surely there is a future hope and you will not be disappointed.
19 Listen and be wise, my son, and direct your heart in the way. 20 Do not associate with drunkards or gluttons. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
22 Listen to your father who gave you life. Do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it. Also buy wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he who gives birth to a wise child will receive joy from him. 25 Your father and your mother will be glad. She who bore you will rejoice.
26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep my ways. 27 A prostitute is a deep pit. An adulterous wife is a well of tribulation. 28 She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the transgressors among men.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has discord? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who stay long at the wine. They seek mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it shines in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things and your heart (and mind) will utter perverse things. 34 You will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea; like one who lies on top of a mast. 35 They struck me but I did not become sick. They beat me and I did not feel it. When will I awake? I will seek drink yet again.
1 Do not be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 Their minds meditate on evil, and their lips talk about trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built. It is established by understanding. 4 Knowledge fills the rooms with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong. A man of knowledge increases strength. 6 You wage war with the help of wise guidance. There is victory in a multitude of counselors.
7 Wisdom is too exalted (lofty) for a fool. He does not open his mouth at the gate.
8 He who devises (plans) to do evil is called a troublemaker. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin. The mocker is an abomination to men.
10 If you fail in time of trouble your strength is small. 11 If you do not deliver those who are condemned to death, 12 You may say: We did not know this, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you and knows. He will reward each man according to his deeds.
13 My son, eat honey because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste. 14 The knowledge of wisdom is sweet to you. When you find the knowledge of wisdom there is a reward. Your hope will not fail.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place. 16 A righteous man falls seven times and rises up again. but the wicked will fall by evil.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. Do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles. 18 Jehovah will see it and be displeased and turn his anger away from him.
19 Do not worry about evil people. Do not envy the wicked! 20 There is no reward for the evil man! The candle of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, respect Jehovah and the king. Do not associate with those who want to change things. 22 Their calamity will rise suddenly! Who knows the ruin from both of them?