잠언 Chapter 23

Translation: ESV

4

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.

Key Message

Do not make becoming rich the highest goal of life. Wealth is a transient thing that can disappear at any time.

▸This is a warning not to make becoming rich the highest goal of life.

This is a warning not to make becoming rich the highest goal of life. 'Toil' (yaga) means striving to the point of exhaustion. The pursuit of wealth is not in itself wrong, but when it becomes the top priority of life, wisdom is lost. This is the warning.

Related Verses

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
13

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Key Message

Appropriate discipline for a child's long-term benefit is an expression of parental love.

▸This emphasizes the necessity of disciplining children.

19

Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.

Key Message

Listening to the words of wisdom and directing the heart in the right way is the core of a wise life.

▸Hearing and directing the heart in the right way are connected.

26

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

Key Message

Following wisdom is a commitment that gives one's whole heart, and it should be a response of joy, not grudging compliance.

▸This is the request of wisdom.