Proverbs 23:1-14

¹If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, Consider attentively the things set before thee:

²And apply thy hand, Knowing that it behooves thee to prepare such meats: But if thou art very insatiable,

³desire not his provisions; For these belong to a false life.

⁴If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; But refrain thyself in thy wisdom.

⁵If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; For wings like an eagle’s are prepared for him, And he returns to the house of his master.

⁶Sup not with an envious man, Neither desire thou his meats:

⁷So he eats and drinks As if anyone should swallow a hair, And do not bring him in to thyself, nor eat thy morsel with him:

⁸For he will vomit it up, and spoil thy fair words.

⁹Say nothing in the ears of a fool, Lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words.

¹⁰Remove not the ancient landmarks; And enter not upon the possession of the fatherless:

¹¹For the Lord is their redeemer; He is mighty, and will plead their cause with thee.

¹²Apply thy heart to instruction, And prepare thine ears for words of discretion.

¹³Refrain not from chastening a child; For if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

¹⁴For thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from death.