²¹ Maintain your competence and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.^(A)
22 They will be life for you^[a][b](B)
and adornment^[c] for your neck.
²³ Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.^(C)
24 When you lie^[d] down, you will not be afraid;^(D)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
²⁵ Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,^(E)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence^[e]
and will keep your foot from a snare.^(F)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.^(A)

⁸ The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.^(A)

¹⁵ If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,^(A)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,^(A)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(B)

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and perish,^(C)
but the house of the righteous will stand.^(D)

¹³ An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,^(A)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.^(B)

²¹ No disaster overcomes the righteous,^(A)
but the wicked are full of misery.

³ The one who guards his mouth protects his life;^(A)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.^(B)

¹⁴ A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life,^(A)
turning people away from the snares of death.^(B)