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¹² There is a way that seems right to a person,
   but its end is the way to death.^*
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
   and the end of joy is grief.
¹⁴ The perverse get what their ways deserve,
   and the good, what their deeds deserve.^*
15 The simple believe everything,
   but the clever consider their steps.
¹⁶ The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
   but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.
¹⁷ One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
   and the schemer is hated.
¹⁸ The simple are adorned with^* folly,
   but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹ The evil bow down before the good,
   the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰ The poor are disliked even by their neighbours,
   but the rich have many friends.
²¹ Those who despise their neighbours are sinners,
   but happy are those who are kind to the poor.
²² Do they not err that plan evil?
   Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
²³ In all toil there is profit,
   but mere talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wisdom,^*
   but folly is the garland^* of fools.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
   but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
   and one’s children will have a refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
   so that one may avoid the snares of death.
²⁸ The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
   without people a prince is ruined.
²⁹ Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
   but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
³⁰ A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
   but passion makes the bones rot.
³¹ Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
   but those who are kind to the needy honour him.