²² “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[a][b]
    before his deeds of old;

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(A)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(B)

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,^(A)
    but the folly of fools is deception.^(B)

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.^(A)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^(A)

³ A person’s own folly^(A) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.^(B)

²⁴ A person’s steps are directed^(A) by the Lord.^(B)
    How then can anyone understand their own way?^(C)

²⁹ The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.^(A)