Proverbs 23:1-35 NET

[1] 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 possess a large appetite. [3] Do not crave that ruler's delicacies, for that food is deceptive. [4] Do not wear yourself out to become rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. [5] When you gaze upon riches, they are gone, for they surely make wings for themselves, and fly off into the sky like an eagle! [6] Do not eat the food of a stingy person, do not crave his delicacies; [7] for he is like someone who has calculated the cost in his mind. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you; [8] you will vomit up the little bit you have eaten, and will have wasted your pleasant words. [9] Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. [10] Do not move an ancient boundary stone, or take over the fields of the fatherless, [11] for their Protector is strong; he will plead their case against you. [12] Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge. [13] Do not withhold discipline from a child; even if you strike him with the rod, he will not die. [14] If you strike him with the rod, you will deliver him from death. [15] My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart also will be glad; [16] my soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. [17] Do not let your heart envy sinners, but rather be zealous in fearing the LORD all the time. [18] For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. [19] Listen, my child, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right way. [20] Do not spend time among drunkards, among those who eat too much meat, [21] because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished, and drowsiness clothes them with rags. [22] Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. [23] Acquire truth and do not sell it-wisdom, and discipline, and understanding. [24] The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him. [25] May your father and your mother have joy; may she who bore you rejoice. [26] Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways; [27] for a prostitute is like a deep pit; a harlot is like a narrow well. [28] Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. [29] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness of the eyes? [30] Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine. [31] Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. [32] Afterward it bites like a snake, and stings like a viper. [33] Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will speak perverse things. [34] And you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging. [35] You will say, "They have struck me, but I am not harmed! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake? I will look for another drink."