Proverbs 23:1-35 CEV

[1] When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners. [2] Don't go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat. [3] Don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty. [4] Give up trying so hard to get rich. [5] Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off. [6] Don't accept an invitation to eat a selfish person's food, no matter how good it is. [7] People like that take note of how much you eat. They say, "Take all you want!" But they don't mean it. [8] Each bite will come back up, and all your kind words will be wasted. [9] Don't talk to fools- they will just make fun. [10] Don't move a boundary marker or take the land that belongs to orphans. [11] God All-Powerful is there to defend them against you. [12] Listen to instruction and do your best to learn. [13] Don't fail to correct your children. You won't kill them by being firm, [14] and it may even save their lives. [15] My children, if you show good sense, I will be happy, [16] and if you are truthful, I will really be glad. [17] Don't be jealous of sinners, but always honor the LORD. [18] Then you will truly have hope for the future. [19] Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path. [20] Don't be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food. [21] It will make you feel drowsy, and you will end up poor with only rags to wear. [22] Pay attention to your father, and don't neglect your mother when she grows old. [23] Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don't part with them. [24] Make your father truly happy by living right and showing sound judgment. [25] Make your parents proud, especially your mother. [26] My son, pay close attention, and gladly follow my example. [27] Bad women and unfaithful wives are like a deep pit- [28] they are waiting to attack you like a gang of robbers with victim after victim. [29] Who is always in trouble? Who argues and fights? Who has cuts and bruises? Whose eyes are red? [30] Everyone who stays up late, having just one more drink. [31] Don't even look at that colorful stuff bubbling up in the glass! It goes down so easily, [32] but later it bites like a poisonous snake. [33] You will see weird things, and your mind will play tricks on you. [34] You will feel tossed about like someone trying to sleep on a ship in a storm. [35] You will be bruised all over, without even remembering how it all happened. And you will lie awake asking, "When will morning come, so I can drink some more?"