[1] When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before
you; [2] Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.
[3] Don`t be desirous of his dainties, Seeing they are deceitful food.
[4] Don`t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. [5]
Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts
wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. [6] Don`t eat the food of him who
has a stingy eye, And don`t crave his delicacies: [7] For as he thinks
about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his
heart is not with you. [8] The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit
up, And lose your good words. [9] Don`t speak in the ears of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words. [10] Don`t move the ancient
boundary stone. Don`t encroach on the fields of the fatherless: [11] For
their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. [12]
Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to the words of
knowledge. [13] Don`t withhold correction from a child. If you punish
him with the rod, he will not die. [14] Punish him with the rod, And
save his soul from Sheol. [15] My son, if your heart is wise, Then my
heart will be glad, even mine: [16] Yes, my heart will rejoice, When
your lips speak what is right. [17] Don`t let your heart envy sinners;
But rather fear Yahweh all the day long. [18] Indeed surely there is a
future hope, And your hope will not be cut off. [19] Listen, my son, and
be wise, And keep your heart on the right path! [20] Don`t be among ones
drinking too much wine, Or those who gorge themselves on meat: [21] For
the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; And drowsiness clothes
them in rags. [22] Listen to your father who gave you life, And don`t
despise your mother when she is old. [23] Buy the truth, and don`t sell it:
Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. [24] The father of the
righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
[25] Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you
rejoice! [26] My son, give me your heart; And let your eyes keep in my
ways. [27] For a prostitute is a deep pit; And a wayward wife is a
narrow well. [28] Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, And increases the
unfaithful among men. [29] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife?
Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? [30]
Those who stay long at the wine; Those who go to seek out mixed wine.
[31] Don`t look at the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the
cup, When it goes down smoothly: [32] At the last it bites like a snake,
And poisons like a viper. [33] Your eyes will see strange things, And
your mind will imagine confusing things. [34] Yes, you will be as he who
lies down in the midst of the sea, Or as he who lies on top of the
rigging: [35] "They hit me, and I was not hurt; They beat me, and I
don`t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find
another."
