1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, |
2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. |
3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. |
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. |
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. |
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; |
7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. |
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. |
9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. |
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, |
11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. |
12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. |
13 Do not withhold discipline 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 death. |
15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; |
16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. |
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. |
18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. |
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. |
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, |
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. |
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. |
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. |
24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. |
25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! |
26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, |
27 for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. |
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies 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 linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. |
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! |
32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. |
33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. |
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. |
35 "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?" |