⁷ He stores up sound judgment for upright people.
He is a shield for those who walk in integrity.

⁶ Go to the ant, you slacker!^[a]
Observe its ways and become wise.
⁷ Although it has no overseer, officer, or ruler,
⁸ it stores its food in summer.
It gathers its provisions at harvest time.

¹² I, Wisdom, dwell with good judgment.^[a]
I discover knowledge and foresight.
¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth.
¹⁴ Good advice and sound judgment are mine.
I, Understanding, have strength.
¹⁵ By me kings reign,
and rulers administer justice.
¹⁶ By me officials govern,
as well as nobles and all just judges.

⁵ The righteousness of honest people makes their way smooth,
but because of his wickedness a wicked person falls.

²³ The desire of the righteous leads only to good.
The hope of the wicked leads to fury.

²⁴ Hardworking hands will rule,
but laziness results in forced labor.^[a]

² From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

¹³ The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price,
but the person who respects a command will be rewarded.

²² Plans fail without advice,
but where there are many advisors they succeed.

³ Commit what you do to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.