18Make plans by seeking advice;

if you wage war, obtain guidance.

19A gossip betrays a confidence;

so avoid a man who talks too much.

20If a man curses his father or mother,

his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning

will not be blessed at the end.

22Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

23The Lord detests differing weights,

and dishonest scales do not please him.

24A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.

How then can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider his vows.

26A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man^a;

it searches out his inmost being.

28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through love his throne is made secure.

29The glory of young men is their strength,

gray hair the splendor of the old.

30Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,

and beatings purge the inmost being.