17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before 6a fall.

19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,

Than to divide the 7spoil with the proud.

20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

And whoever strusts in the Lord, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,

And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.

But the correction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,

And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of tdeath.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,

For his hungry mouth drives uhim on.

27 8An ungodly man digs up evil,

And it is on his lips like a burning vfire.

28 A perverse man sows strife,

And wa whisperer separates the best of friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor,

And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;

He 9purses his lips and brings about evil.

31 xThe silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 yHe who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the Lord.