Proverbs Chapter 23 verse 1 Holy Bible
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee;
read chapter 23 in ASV
When you take your seat at the feast with a ruler, give thought with care to what is before you;
read chapter 23 in BBE
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee;
read chapter 23 in DARBY
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
read chapter 23 in KJV
read chapter 23 in WBT
When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before you;
read chapter 23 in WEB
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Thou considerest diligently that which `is' before thee,
read chapter 23 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 1-3. - A hexastich closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter, as if the warning was addressed to the man of skill whom his talents had made the guest of kings. Verse 1. - When thou sittest to eat with a ruler. This, of course, would be a great honour to a man of lowly birth, or to one of the middle class, to whom the manners of courts and palaces were practically unknown. Consider diligently what is before thee. So the Vulgate, Qua apposita sunt ante faciem tuam; and the Septuagint, Τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοι. Take heed lest the unusual dainties on the table tempt thee to excess, which may lead not only to unseemly behaviour, but also to unruly speech, revealing of secrets, etc. But the latter words may also be tendered, "him that is," or, "who is before thee." And this gives a very appropriate sense. The guest is enjoined to fix his attention, not on the delicate food, but on the host, who is his superior, and able to exalt and to destroy him (compare the cautious maxims in Ecclus. 13:2, 6, 7, 11, etc.).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXXIII.(1) Consider diligently what is before thee,--Rather, Who is before thee; that thy host is not an equal, but one who, if offended, might do thee deadly harm.
