1  When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what¹ is before you,

2  and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite.

16  If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17  ^eLet your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

17  ^uWhoever meddles in a quarrel not his own

is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

18  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

19  is the man who deceives his neighbor

and says, “I am only joking!”

14  ^kWhoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,

rising early in the morning,

will be counted as cursing.