²¹ My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
²² for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
²³ They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
²⁴ You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
²⁵ You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

⁶ The godliness of good people rescues them;
    the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

⁸ The godly are rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.

¹⁵ There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
    it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

⁶ The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

⁷ The wicked die and disappear,
    but the family of the godly stands firm.

¹³ The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

²¹ No harm comes to the godly,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

³ Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

¹⁴ The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
    those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise;
    they leave the grave^[a] behind.