1 W hen you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;

2 p ut a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.

3 D on’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.

4 D on’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.

5 W hy do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

6 D on’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies:

7 f or as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

8 T he morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.

9 D on’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 D on’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless:

11 f or their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.

12 A pply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

13 D on’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

14 P unish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.

15 M y son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:

16 y es, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right.

17 D on’t let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.

18 I ndeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.

19 L isten, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!

20 D on’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:

21 f or the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

22 L isten to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

23 B uy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

24 T he father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.

25 L et your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!

26 M y son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.

27 F or a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

28 Y es, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.

29 W ho has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30 T hose who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.

31 D on’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

32 I n the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.

33 Y our eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

34 Y es, you will be as he who lies down in the middle 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.”