English Standard Version

Proverbs 23:8-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

8. You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,and waste your pleasant words.

9. Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,for he will despise the good sense of your words.

10. Do not move an ancient landmarkor enter the fields of the fatherless,

11. for their Redeemer is strong;he will plead their cause against you.

12. Apply your heart to instructionand your ear to words of knowledge.

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

14. If you strike him with the rod,you will save his soul from Sheol.

15. My son, if your heart is wise,my heart too will be glad.

16. My inmost being will exultwhen your lips speak what is right.

17. Let not your heart envy sinners,but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

18. Surely there is a future,and your hope will not be cut off.

19. Hear, my son, and be wise,and direct your heart in the way.

20. Be not among drunkardsor among gluttonous eaters of meat,

21. for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,and slumber will clothe them with rags.