Proverbs 23 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before "

" And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. "

" Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. "

" Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. "

Proverbs 23:4 warns against exhausting yourself just to get rich or trusting your own clever plans about money. It means don’t make wealth your life’s …

" Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. "

Proverbs 23:5 means money and possessions are temporary and can disappear quickly, like a bird flying away. It warns us not to obsess over wealth …

" Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: "

" For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart "

Proverbs 23:7 means a person’s true character is revealed by their inner thoughts and motives, not just their words or behavior. Someone may act friendly, …

" The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. "

" Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. "

Proverbs 23:9 means don’t waste your advice on someone who refuses to listen or change. A “fool” here is a person who mocks good counsel. …

" Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: "

" For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause "

" Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. "

Proverbs 23:12 means you should choose to be teachable—open your heart and ears to wise guidance. Instead of reacting defensively, listen carefully and learn. For …

" Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. "

Proverbs 23:13 means loving parents must not avoid correcting their children, even when it feels hard or uncomfortable. It doesn’t promote abuse, but firm, fair …

" Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. "

" My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. "

Proverbs 23:15 means that when a child makes wise, godly choices, it brings deep joy to their parent. Wisdom here is about living thoughtfully—avoiding trouble, …

" Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. "

" Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day "

Proverbs 23:17 means don’t be jealous when people who ignore God seem to succeed. Their lifestyle may look fun or easy, but it leads to …

" For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. "

" Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. "

Proverbs 23:19 means you should listen carefully to wise advice and then choose your path on purpose, not by feelings or impulse. “Guide your heart” …

" Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: "

" For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. "

" Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. "

" Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. "

Proverbs 23:23 means you should seek truth and wisdom like they’re priceless treasures and never trade them for comfort, popularity, or money. In real life, …

" The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy "

Proverbs 23:24 means parents feel deep happiness and pride when their children live rightly and make wise choices. It shows that godly character matters more …

" Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. "

" My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. "

Proverbs 23:26 means God is asking for your full attention, love, and trust, not just outward actions. “Give me your heart” calls you to let …

" For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. "

" She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men. "

" Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? "

Proverbs 23:29 warns that constant drinking and partying bring misery—fights, embarrassing words, injuries, and deep regret. It pictures the morning after a drunken night. In …

" They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. "

" Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. "

" At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. "

" Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. "

Proverbs 23:33 warns that drunkenness lowers your self-control. Under the influence, you may be drawn to people you shouldn’t pursue and say shameful, hurtful things. …

" Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. "

" They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet "