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¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
   those who guard their way preserve their lives.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
   and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
   than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
   and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called perceptive,
   and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
   but folly is the punishment of fools.
²³ The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
   and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
   sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
   but in the end it is the way to death.
²⁶ The appetite of workers works for them;
   their hunger urges them on.
²⁷ Scoundrels concoct evil,
   and their speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A perverse person spreads strife,
   and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹ The violent entice their neighbours,
   and lead them in a way that is not good.
³⁰ One who winks the eyes plans^* perverse things;
   one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
³¹ Grey hair is a crown of glory;
   it is gained in a righteous life.
³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
   and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
   but the decision is the Lord’s alone.