23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is before you;

2 And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

For they are deceptive food.

4 aDo not overwork to be rich;

bBecause of your own understanding, cease!

5 1Will you set your eyes on that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings;

They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of ca 2miser,

Nor desire his delicacies;

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

“Eat and drink!” dhe says to you,

But his heart is not with you.

8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,

And waste your pleasant words.

9 eDo not speak in the hearing of a fool,

For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not remove the ancient 3landmark,

Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

11 fFor their Redeemer is mighty;

He will plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction,

And your ears to words of knowledge.

13 gDo not withhold correction from a child,

For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

14 You shall beat him with a rod,

And deliver his soul from 4hell.

15 My son, if your heart is wise,

My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

16 Yes, my 5inmost being will rejoice

When your lips speak right things.

17 hDo not let your heart envy sinners,

But ibe zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

18 jFor surely there is a 6hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.