[:en]SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 23
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:4-5)
“”Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies” (Proverbs 23:6)
“Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words” (Proverbs 23:9)
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you” (Proverbs 23:10-11)
“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge” (Proverbs 23:12)
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death” (Proverbs 23:13-14)
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:147)
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22)
“Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23)
“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well” (Proverbs 23:26-27)
“Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like snake and poisons like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31-32)
WARNINGS:
- Do not crave for food and delicacies that result in gluttony (vs. 1-3)
- Do not wear yourself to become rich because they will sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle (v. 4-5)
- Do not be friends with miserly people. They may offer you food but their hearts are not with you. Their friendship is fake and short-lived (vs. 6-8)
- Do not speak wisdom to the fool for they will dislike the wisdom of your words (v. 9)
- Do not change the ancient boundaries or encroach the fields of the fatherless. This is oppression and robbery and God will judge it. (vs. 10-114)
- Do not fail to discipline your child. Punish him with the rod so that he will have wisdom and bring you joy (vs. 13-16)
- Do not envy sinners but fear the Lord and put your hope in Him (vs. 17-18)
- Do not accompany drunkards and gluttons for they will influence you to become poor. Keep your heart on the right path (vs. 19-21)
- Do not despise your mother when she is old. Listen to your father who gave you life (v. 22)
- Do not sell the truth at any price. get wisdom, discipline and understanding (v. 23)
- Do not linger on wine for in the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper and your eyes will see strange sights and your mind image confusing things. You will end up with woes, sorrows, strife, bruises and bloodshed (vs. 29-33)
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