^1. When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what [1] 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. [2] "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. [3]

^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?"