¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^[a] will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[b]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
²⁷ A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[c] is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans^[d] dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
³² Whoever 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.