The repeated “do not” reminds you that there are some things God does not want His children to do.
Do not desire luxuries (vv. 1–3), even when the rich offer them to you. You may get an appetite for such things and start living to get rich (vv. 4–5). But riches fly away, while character remains for eternity. At the same time, do not get friendly with miserly people (vv. 6–8). No matter how much they offer you, their hearts are not with you. It is not the food on the table but the love in the heart that makes fellowship real and lasting.
Do not speak carelessly around fools (v. 9), for they will misunderstand and misquote you and get you into trouble. Do not change the boundaries that men and God have made (vv. 10–11; 22:28; Deut. 19:14). This is robbery and oppression, and God will judge it.
Do not fail to discipline your child (vv. 13–14), so that he or she might have wisdom and bring you joy (vv. 15–16). No matter what other families may do, do not envy sinners (vv. 17–18), but trust the Lord and obey Him. Set a good example by respecting your parents (v. 22).
Do not mix with drunkards and gluttons lest you become like them (vv. 19–21). Do not even look at the wine (vv. 29–35) lest you end up embarrassed and bruised.
Do not sell the truth at any price (v. 23)! It costs something to live by the truth, but it costs even more to abandon the truth.
Respect the Truth
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it” is the advice of Proverbs 23:23. Lot sold the truth for a home in the city (Gen. 13:1–13), and Esau sold the truth for a mess of pottage (Gen. 25:29–34). King Saul sold the truth for the support of the people (1 Sam. 15:24–35). Judas sold the truth for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14–16), and Pilate sold the truth for the approval of the crowd (Mark 15:15). It is not worth it!
Beware Strong Drink!
The Bible does not demand total abstinence, but it does magnify it and warn against the sin of drunkenness. Strong drink is a mocker (Prov. 20:1): it promises one thing but gives another. Instead of wealth, it gives poverty (Prov. 21:17; 23:20–21); instead of pleasure, it gives misery (Prov. 23:29–35). For a short time, the drinker feels good, but then things start to change. Alcoholics can be saved and changed by the grace of God (1 Cor. 6:9–11). You must be careful not to cause others to stumble because of the things you do (Rom. 14:14–23).
