Lesson 363: Proverbs 23:7
The Blueprint — The Verse
for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
warns against corrupting influences at rich tables and against envying oppressors. Ancient hospitality could mask stinginess or manipulation. Wisdom teaches discernment when generous words do not match inward calculation and selfish intent.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Earlier verses caution about dining with rulers and craving their delicacies. This line exposes a miser whose thoughts constantly calculate expense. He may say eat and drink, yet his heart is far from genuine generosity, warning listeners to read motives not only words.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies:
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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How can you discern when hospitality is not sincere?
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Where are you tempted to say one thing while thinking another?
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Why does wisdom attend to the heart behind polite speech?