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1.
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
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2.
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
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3.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
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4.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
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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.
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6.
Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
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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.
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8.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
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9.
Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
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10.
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
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11.
for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
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12.
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
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13.
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
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14.
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
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15.
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
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16.
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
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17.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
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18.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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19.
Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
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20.
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
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21.
for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
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22.
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
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23.
Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
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24.
The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
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25.
May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
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26.
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
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27.
for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
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28.
Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
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29.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
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30.
Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
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31.
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
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32.
In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
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33.
Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
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34.
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
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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?"
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