Proverbs

¹ note well what is before you,

² if you are given to gluttony.

³ for that food is deceptive.

⁴ have the wisdom to show restraint.

⁵ for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

⁶ do not crave his delicacies;

⁷ who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

⁸ and will have wasted your compliments.

⁹ for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

¹⁰ or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

¹¹ he will take up their case against you.

¹² and your ears to words of knowledge.

¹³ if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

¹⁴ and save his soul from death.

¹⁵ then my heart will be glad;

¹⁶ when your lips speak what is right.

¹⁷ but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

¹⁸ and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁹ and keep your heart on the right path.

²⁰ or gorge themselves on meat,

²¹ and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

²² and do not despise your mother when she is old.

²³ get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

²⁴ he who has a wise son delights in him.

²⁵ may she who gave you birth rejoice!

²⁶ and let your eyes keep to my ways,

²⁷ and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

²⁸ and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

²⁹ Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

³⁰ who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

³¹ when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

³² and poisons like a viper.

³³ and your mind imagine confusing things.

³⁴ lying on top of the rigging.

³⁵ They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”