1,2,3 When dining with a rich man, be on your guard and
don’t stuff yourself, though it all tastes so good; for he is trying to bribe
you and no good is going to come of his invitation.
4,5 Don’t weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste
your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!
6,7,8 Don’t associate with evil men; don’t long for their
favors and gifts. Their kindness is a trick; they want to use you as their
pawn. The delicious food they serve will turn sour in your stomach and you will
vomit it and have to take back your words of appreciation for their “kindness.”
9 Don’t waste your breath on a rebel. He will despise the
wisest advice.
10, 11 Don’t steal the land of defenseless orphans by
moving their ancient boundary marks, for their Redeemer is strong; He Himself
will accuse you.
12 Don’t refuse to accept criticism; get all the help you
can.
13, 14 Don’t fail to correct your children; discipline
won’t hurt them! They won’t die if you use a stick on them! Punishment will
keep them out of hell.
15, 16 My son, how I will rejoice if you become a man of
common sense. Yes, my heart will thrill to your thoughtful, wise words.
17,18 Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence The
Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There
is hope for you yet!
19,20,21 O my son, be wise and stay in God’s paths; don’t
carouse with drunkards and gluttons for they are on their way to poverty. And remember
that too much sleep clothes a man with rags.
22 Listen to your father’s advice and don’t despise an
old mother’s experience.
23 Get the facts at any price and hold on tightly to all
the good sense you can get.
24,25 The father of a godly man has cause for joy – what
pleasure a wise son is! So give your parents joy!
26,27,28 O my son, trust my advice - stay away from
prostitutes. For a prostitute is a deep and narrow grave. Like a robber, she
waits for her victims as one after another become unfaithful to their wives.
29,30 Whose heart is filled with anguish and sorrow? Who
is always fighting and quarreling? Who is the man with bloodshot eyes and many
wounds? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new
mixtures.
31 Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive
you.
32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it
stings like an adder.
33 You will see hallucinations and have delirium tremens
and you will say foolish, silly things that would embarrass you no end when
sober.
34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging
to a swaying mast.
35 And afterwards you will say, “I didn’t even know it
when they beat me up. … Let’s go and have another drink!”
Text: Children's Living Bible, Tyndale House Publishing 1972
Photos: Google Images
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