1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;
3 donât desire his choice food, for that food is deceptive.
4 Donât wear yourself out to get rich; because you know better, stop!
5 As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
6 Donât eat a stingy personâs bread, and donât desire his choice food,
7 for itâs like someone calculating inwardly. âEat and drink,â he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit the little youâve eaten and waste your pleasant words.
9 Donât speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.
10 Donât move an ancient boundary marker, and donât encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Redeemer is strong, and he will champion their cause against you.
12 Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.
13 Donât withhold discipline from a youth; if you punish him with a rod, he will not die.
14 Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.
16 My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.
17 Donât let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.
18 For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.
20 Donât associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat.
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.
22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and donât despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buyâand do not sellâtruth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
25 Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.
26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward woman is a narrow well;
28 indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine.
31 Donât gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.
34 Youâll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a shipâs mast.
35 âThey struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didnât know it! When will I wake up? Iâll look for another drink.â