Proverbs 23 - Meaning, Themes & Application

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

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 is not with thee.

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 with thee.

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 long.

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 of him.

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 again.