Chapter 23

  When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before you;  

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  Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.  

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  Don't be desirous of his dainties, Seeing they are deceitful food.  

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  Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.  

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

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  Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, And don't crave his delicacies:  

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  For as he thinks about the cost, so he is. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, But his heart is not with you.  

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  The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, And lose your good words.  

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  Don't speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.  

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  Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:  

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  For their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.  

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  Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to the words of knowledge.  

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  Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  

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  Punish him with the rod, And save his soul from Sheol.  

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  My son, if your heart is wise, Then my heart will be glad, even mine:  

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  Yes, my heart will rejoice, When your lips speak what is right.  

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  Don't let your heart envy sinners; But rather fear Yahweh all the day long.  

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  Indeed surely there is a future hope, And your hope will not be cut off.  

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  Listen, my son, and be wise, And keep your heart on the right path!  

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  Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, Or those who gorge themselves on meat:  

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  For the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; And drowsiness clothes them in rags.  

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  Listen to your father who gave you life, And don't despise your mother when she is old.  

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  Buy the truth, and don't sell it: Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.  

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

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

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  My son, give me your heart; And let your eyes keep in my ways.  

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  For a prostitute is a deep pit; And a wayward wife is a narrow well.  

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  Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, And increases the unfaithful among men.  

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  Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?  

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  Those who stay long at the wine; Those who go to seek out mixed wine.  

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  Don't look at the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly:  

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  At the last it bites like a snake, And poisons like a viper.  

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  Your eyes will see strange things, And your mind will imagine confusing things.  

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  Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or as he who lies on top of the rigging:  

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  '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.'  

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