When you sit to eat with a ruler

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LeadershipDesire1When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,

Desire2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Desire3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

Wealth4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Wealth5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Desire6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;

Desire7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Desire8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Do not move the ancient landmark

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SpeechWisdom9Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

Justice10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Fear of LordJustice11for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Discipline12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

DisciplineFamily13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.

DisciplineFamily14Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Apply your heart to instruction

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WisdomFamily15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;

SpeechFamily16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Fear of Lord17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

Wisdom18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Wisdom19Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

Desire20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,

DesireWork21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Buy truth and do not sell it

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FamilyDiscipline22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Wisdom23Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.

FamilyWisdom24The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

Family25May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

Warning against wine and harlotry

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Discipline26My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,

Desire27for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

Desire28Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Desire29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Desire30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

Desire31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

Desire32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Desire33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

Desire34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

Desire35“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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