Proverbs 22:22-23:12

English Standard Version

^22 (A)Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or ^(B)crush the afflicted at ^(C)the gate,
²³ for ^(D)the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.
²⁴ Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
²⁵ lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.
²⁶ Be not one of those who ^(E)give pledges,
    who put up security for debts.
²⁷ If you have nothing with which to pay,
    why should ^(F)your bed be taken from under you?
²⁸ Do not move the ancient ^(G)landmark
    that your fathers have set.
²⁹ Do you see a man skillful in his work?
    He will ^(H)stand before kings;
    he will not stand before obscure men.

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    observe carefully what^[a] is before you,
² and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to appetite.
^3 (I)Do not desire his delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.
^4 (J)Do not toil to acquire wealth;
    ^(K)be discerning enough to desist.
⁵ When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
    ^(L)for suddenly it sprouts wings,
    flying like an eagle toward heaven.
^6 (M)Do not eat the bread of a man who is ^(N)stingy;^{[b]
    (O)}do not desire his delicacies,
⁷ for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.^[c]
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his ^(P)heart is not with you.
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 (Q)Do not move an ancient landmark
    or enter the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹ for their ^(R)Redeemer is strong;
    he will ^(S)plead their cause against you.
¹² Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.