23 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.

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.

⁶ Sending a message by a foolish person
    is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.

¹⁰ Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by
    is like an archer shooting at just anything.

²⁴ Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words,
    but in their minds they are planning evil.
²⁵ People’s words may be kind, but don’t believe them,
    because their minds are full of evil thoughts.
²⁶ Lies can hide hate,
    but the evil will be plain to everyone.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it.
    Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it.

²⁸ Liars hate the people they hurt,
    and false praise can ruin others.

⁶ The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you,
    but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies.

⁵ Those who give false praise to their neighbors
    are setting a trap for them.