16  Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;

he who despises his ways will die.

20  Listen to advice and accept ^yinstruction,

that you may gain wisdom in the future.

25  Strike a scoffer, and the ^csimple will learn prudence;

^dreprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

27  Cease to hear ^finstruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.