9  Who can say, 

“I’ve made my heart pure. 

I’m cleansed from my sin”? 

10  A double standard of weights and measures— 

both are disgusting to the Lord. 

11  Even a child makes himself known by his actions, 

whether his deeds are pure or right. 

12  The ear that hears, 

the eye that sees— 

the Lord made them both. 

13  Do not love sleep or you will end up poor. 

Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat. 

14  “Bad! Bad!” says the buyer. 

Then, as he goes away, he brags ⸤about his bargain⸥. 

15  There are gold and plenty of jewels, 

but the lips of knowledge are precious gems. 

16  Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan, 

and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner. 

17  Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person, 

but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel. 

18  Plans are confirmed by getting advice, 

and with guidance one wages war. 

19  Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. 

Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open. 

20  The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother 

will be snuffed out in total darkness.b

21  An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning 

will never be blessed in the end. 

22  Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” 

Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. 

23  A double standard of weights is disgusting to the Lord, 

and dishonest scales are no good. 

24  The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. 

How then can anyone understand his own way? 

25  It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, “This is a holy offering!” 

and later to have second thoughts about those vows.