23:1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,

23:2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

23:3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

23:5 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.

23:6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;

23:7 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.

23:8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

23:11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

23:14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;

23:16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

23:20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,

23:21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

23:24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

23:25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,

23:27 for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

23:28 Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

23:30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

23:31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

23:32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

23:33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.

23:34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

23:35 "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?"