1. When you sit down to eat with a ruler,consider carefully what is before you,
2. and put a knife to your throatif you possess a large appetite.
3. Do not crave that ruler’s delicacies,for that food is deceptive.
4. Do not wear yourself out to become rich;be wise enough to restrain yourself.
5. When you gaze upon riches, they are gone,for they surely make wings for themselves,and fly off into the sky like an eagle!
6. Do not eat the food of a stingy person,do not crave his delicacies;
7. for he is like someone calculating the cost in his mind. “Eat and drink,” he says to you,but his heart is not with you;
8. you will vomit up the little bit you have eaten,and will have wasted your pleasant words.
9. Do not speak in the ears of a fool,for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10. Do not move an ancient boundary stone,or take over the fields of the fatherless,
11. for their Protector is strong;he will plead their case against you.
12. Apply your heart to instructionand your ears to the words of knowledge.