• Saying 7

  • 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.

  • Saying 8

  • 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
  • 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.

  • Saying 9

  • 6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;
  • 7 for he is the kind of person 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.

  • Saying 10

  • 9 Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

  • Saying 11

  • 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.

  • Saying 12

  • 12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

  • Saying 13

  • 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
  • 14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

  • Saying 14

  • 15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;
  • 16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

  • Saying 15

  • 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.

  • Saying 16

  • 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set 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.

  • Saying 17

  • 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— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
  • 24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
  • 25 May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

  • Saying 18

  • 26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,
  • 27 for an adulterous woman 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.

  • Saying 19

  • 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 will 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?”