Study Desk

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

Saying 7

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

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

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

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

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

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

Saying 8

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

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

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

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;

Saying 9

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

for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

for 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.

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

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

Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

Saying 10

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

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

Saying 11

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

for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

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

Saying 12

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

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Saying 13

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

Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

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

Saying 14

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

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

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

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD .

Saying 15

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

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

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

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Saying 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saying 17

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

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

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

The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

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

May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

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

My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,

Saying 18

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

for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

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

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

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

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

Saying 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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?"

"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?"