¹⁰ For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being, filling your life with joy. ^11-13 You will be given the sense to stay away from evil men who want you to be their partners in crime—men who turn from God’s ways to walk down dark and evil paths

²⁰ Follow the steps of the godly instead, and stay on the right path,

¹⁴ Don’t do as the wicked do. ¹⁵ Avoid their haunts—turn away, go somewhere else, ¹⁶ for evil men can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest unless they cause someone to stumble and fall. ¹⁷ They eat and drink wickedness and violence!

¹⁸ But the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favor; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, ¹⁹ while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark.

²⁰ Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.

²⁸ An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

¹² It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool caught in his folly.

¹⁷ A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

²⁴ There are “friends” who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

⁴ A wealthy man has many “friends”; the poor man has none left.

⁶ Many beg favors from a man who is generous; everyone is his friend!

⁷ A poor man’s own brothers turn away from him in embarrassment;^[a] how much more his friends! He calls after them, but they are gone.