Read the Bible

¹ If you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    notice the food that is in front of you.
² Control yourself
    if you have a big appetite.
³ Don't be greedy for his fine foods,
    because that food might be a trick.

⁴ Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich;
    be wise enough to control yourself.
⁵ Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye.
    It can seem to grow wings
    and fly away like an eagle.

⁶ Don't eat the food of selfish people;
    don't be greedy for their fine foods.
⁷ Selfish people are always worrying
    about how much the food costs.
They tell you, "Eat and drink,"
    but they don't really mean it.
⁸ You will throw up the little you have eaten,
    and you will have wasted your kind words.

⁹ Don't speak to fools;
    they will only ignore your wise words.

¹⁰ Don't move an old stone that marks a border,
    and don't take fields that belong to orphans.
¹¹ God, their defender, is strong;
    he will take their side against you.

¹² Remember what you are taught,
    and listen carefully to words of knowledge.

¹³ Don't fail to punish children.
    If you spank them, they won't die.
¹⁴ If you spank them,
    you will save them from death.

¹⁵ My child, if you are wise,
    then I will be happy.
¹⁶ I will be so pleased
    if you speak what is right.

¹⁷ Don't envy sinners,
    but always respect the Lord.
¹⁸ Then you will have hope for the future,
    and your wishes will come true.

¹⁹ Listen, my child, and be wise.
    Keep your mind on what is right.
²⁰ Don't drink too much wine
    or eat too much food.
²¹ Those who drink and eat too much become poor.
    They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.

²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not forget your mother when she is old.
²³ Learn the truth and never reject it.
    Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.
²⁴ The father of a good child is very happy;
    parents who have wise children are glad because of them.
²⁵ Make your father and mother happy;
    give your mother a reason to be glad.

²⁶ My son, pay attention to me,
    and watch closely what I do.
²⁷ A prostitute is as dangerous as a deep pit,
    and an unfaithful wife is like a narrow well.
²⁸ They ambush you like robbers
    and cause many men to be unfaithful to their wives.

²⁹ Who has trouble? Who has pain?
    Who fights? Who complains?
Who has unnecessary bruises?
    Who has bloodshot eyes?
³⁰ It is people who drink too much wine,
    who try out all different kinds of strong drinks.
³¹ Don't stare at the wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly.
³² Later it bites like a snake
    with poison in its fangs.
³³ Your eyes will see strange sights,
    and your mind will be confused.
³⁴ You will feel dizzy as if you're in a storm on the ocean,
    as if you're on top of a ship's sails.
³⁵ You will think, "They hit me, but I'm not hurt.
    They beat me up, but I don't remember it.
I wish I could wake up.
    Then I would get another drink."