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23:1  When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what’s in front of you.
23:2  Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.
23:3  Don’t long for his fancy food. It can fool you.
23:4  Don’t wear yourself out to get rich. Don’t trust how wise you think you are.
23:5  When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone. They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle.
23:6  Don’t eat the food of anyone who doesn’t want to share it. Don’t long for his fancy food.
23:7  He is the kind of person who is always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” he says to you. But he doesn’t mean it.
23:8  You will throw up what little you have eaten. You will have wasted your words of praise.
23:9  Don’t speak to foolish people. They will laugh at your wise words.
23:10  Don’t move old boundary stones. Don’t try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died.
23:11  That’s because the God who guards them is strong. He will stand up for them in court against you.
23:12  Apply your heart to what you are taught. Listen carefully to words of knowledge.
23:13  Don’t hold back correction from a child. If you correct them, they won’t die.
23:14  So correct them. Then you will save them from death.
23:15  My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be very glad.
23:16  Deep down inside, I will be happy when you say what is right.
23:17  Do not long for what sinners have. But always show great respect for the Lord.
23:18  There really is hope for you in days to come. So your hope will not be cut off.
23:19  My son, listen and be wise. Set your heart on the right path.
23:20  Don’t join those who drink too much wine. Don’t join those who stuff themselves with meat.
23:21  Those who drink or eat too much will become poor. If they sleep too much, they’ll have to wear rags.
23:22  Listen to your father, who gave you life. Don’t hate your mother when she is old.
23:23  Buy the truth and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, instruction and understanding as well.
23:24  The father of a godly child is very happy. A man who has a wise son is glad.
23:25  May your father and mother be glad. May the woman who gave birth to you be joyful.
23:26  My son, give me your heart. May you be happy living the way you see me live.
23:27  An unfaithful wife is like a deep pit. A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well.
23:28  She hides and waits like a thief. She causes many men to sin.
23:29  Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who argues? Who has problems? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
23:30  Those who spend too much time with wine. Or those who like to taste wine mixed with spices.
23:31  Don’t look at wine when it is red. Don’t look at it when it bubbles in the cup. And don’t look at it when it goes down smoothly.
23:32  In the end it bites like a snake. It bites like a poisonous serpent.
23:33  Your eyes will see strange sights. Your mind will imagine weird things.
23:34  You will feel like someone sleeping on the ocean. You will think you are lying among the ropes in a boat.
23:35  “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?”