15  There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16  Take a man’s garment when he has ^tput up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.¹

17  Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

18  Plans are established by counsel;

^uby wise guidance wage war.

19  ^vWhoever goes about ^wslandering reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.²

20  ^xIf one curses his ^yfather or his mother,

his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

21  An inheritance gained ^zhastily in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

22  ^aDo not say, “I will ^brepay evil”;

^cwait for the Lord, ^dand he will deliver you.

23  Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,

and false scales are not good.

24  A man’s steps are from the Lord;

how then can man understand his way?

25  It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and to reflect only after making ^evows.

26  A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

27  The spirit³ of man is the lamp of the Lord,

searching all his innermost parts.

28  ^fSteadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

29  The glory of young men is their strength,

^gbut the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30  Blows that wound cleanse away evil;

strokes make clean the innermost parts.