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Proverbs / Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 1)
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Introduction: The Purpose of Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord Warning Against Enticement by Sinners Wisdom's Public Call and the Folly of Rejection The Value of Wisdom and Its Protection Trusting God and Walking in Wisdom A Father's Exhortation to Hold Fast to Wisdom Warning Against Adultery and a Call to Fidelity Warnings: Surety, Laziness, and Wickedness Obey Parental Commands and the Dangers of Adultery The Example of a Young Man Seduced Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly Solomon's Proverbs: Contrasts of Righteousness and Folly Proverbs on Justice, Integrity, and Righteous Living Wise Conduct, Diligence, and Righteous Speech Discipline, Wealth, and the Wise Child Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord The Power of Speech and the Benefits of Wisdom God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity The Power of Words and the Nature of Companionship Advice on Wealth, Conduct, and Discipline Counsel, Justice, and Warnings Against Excess Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role Reputation, Generosity, and Child Discipline Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 1) Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 2) Solomon's Proverbs on Restraint and Leadership Folly and Foolish Behavior in Speech and Deeds Friendship, Counsel, and Practical Wisdom for Life Justice, Righteousness, and the Results of Rebellion Discipline, Leadership, and Social Order The Sayings of Agur: Humility and Observations Advice to King Lemuel and the Virtuous Woman

Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction (part 1)

Proverbs 22:17-23:31

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Chapter 22
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and set your heart to my knowledge. 18 For pleasant—for if you keep them in your belly, they will be fitting together on your lips. 19 I have made known to you today that your trust is to be in the LORD, even you. 20 Have I not written for you three times in counsel and knowledge? 21 to make you know the truth of words of faithfulness, to return words of faithfulness truth, to send you 22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, and do not crush the oppressed at the gate. 23 for the LORD will contend for their contention and will shatter their souls. 24 Do not associate with a master of anger, and do not come with a man of wrath. 25 lest you learn his ways and take a snare for your nephesh. 26 Do not be among hand-strikers in the evenings of burden-oracles. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why will he take your bed from under you? 28 Do not move the ancient boundary that your fathers set. 29 Have you seen a man swift in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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Chapter 23
1 For when you sit to eat with a ruler, you will consider what is before you. 2 And you shall put a knife to your throat if you are a master of your nephesh. 3 Do not desire his delicacies, for it is bread of lies. 4 Do not labor to make rich from your wisdom; cease. 5 Will your eyes fly upon it and it is not? For it will make—it will make for itself wings like an eagle; it will fly to the heavens. 6 Do not eat the bread of an evil eye, and do not desire his delicacies. 7 For just as he reckons in his nephesh, so he is. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 The bread you eat, you will vomit up, and you will waste your pleasant words. 9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise your wisdom. 10 Do not remove an ancient boundary, and do not enter the fields of orphans. 11 For their Redeemer is strong; he will contend for their judicial controversy with you. 12 Apply your heart and your ear to discipline, to the words of knowledge. 13 Do not withhold discipline from a boy. For if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You—with a staff—strike him, and his soul from Sheol you deliver. 15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—even I. 16 And my kidneys will rejoice in the words of your lips, upright ones. 17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of the LORD all the day. 18 For there is an end, and your hope will not be cut off. 19 Hear, you, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. 20 Do not be among wine drunkards, flesh gluttons for them. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty; you will be clothed with rags. 22 Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother because she grows old. 23 Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and one who begets a wise one will rejoice in him. 25 May your father and your mother rejoice, and may she who bore you rejoice. 26 Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways. 27 For a deep pit is a prostitute, and a narrow well is a foreign woman. 28 Indeed, she is like a rapacious predator—she lies in wait, and you add traitors among humanity. 29 To whom woe? To whom woe? To whom sorrows? To whom strife? To whom wounds for nothing? To whom redness of eyes? 30 to those who linger over the wine, to those who come to investigate from the bowl. 31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.