1 W hen you sit down to eat with a ruler, think about what is in front of you.

2 P ut a knife to your neck if you are a man who is given to much eating.

3 D o not desire his special foods, for they are put there for no good reason.

4 D o not work hard to be rich. Stop trying to get things for yourself.

5 W hen you set your eyes upon it, it is gone. For sure, riches make themselves wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

6 D o not eat the bread of a man who thinks only about himself. Do not have a desire for his fine food.

7 F or as he thinks in his heart, so is he. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.

8 Y ou will spit up the piece of food you have eaten, and waste your good words.

9 D o not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will hate the wisdom of your words.

10 D o not take away the old land-mark, or go into the fields of those without a father.

11 F or the One Who saves them is strong. He will stand by them and give them help against you.

12 O pen your heart to teaching, and your ears to words of much learning.

13 D o not keep from punishing the child if he needs it. If you beat him with the stick, he will not die.

14 B eat him with the stick, and save his soul from hell.

15 M y son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will be glad also.

16 M y heart will be full of joy when your lips speak what is right.

17 D o not let your heart be jealous of sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.

18 F or sure there is a future and your hope will not be cut off.

19 L isten, my son, and be wise. Lead your heart in the way.

20 D o not be with those who drink too much wine or eat too much meat.

21 F or the man who drinks too much or eats too much will become poor, and much sleep will dress a man in torn clothes.

22 L isten to your father who gave you life, and do not hate your mother when she is old.

23 B uy truth, and do not sell it. Get wisdom and teaching and understanding.

24 T he father of one who is right with God will have much joy. He who has a wise son will be glad in him.

25 L et your father and mother be glad, and let her who gave birth to you be full of joy.

26 G ive me your heart, my son. Let your eyes find joy in my ways.

27 F or a woman who sells the use of her body is like a deep hole. A sinful woman is a narrow well.

28 S he lies in wait as a robber, and makes many more men not faithful.

29 W ho has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who is fighting? Who is complaining? Who is hurt without a reason? Who has eyes that have become red?

30 T hose who stay a long time over wine. Those who go to taste mixed wine.

31 D o not look at wine when it is red, when it shines in the cup, when it is smooth in going down.

32 I n the end it bites like a snake. It stings like the bite of a snake with poison.

33 Y our eyes will see strange things. Your mind will say the wrong things.

34 A nd you will be like one who lies down in the center of the sea, or like one who lies above a ship’s sail.

35 “ They hit me, but I was not hurt. They beat me, but I did not know it. When will I wake up? I will look for another drink.”