²⁰ My son,^(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.^(B)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,^(C)
    keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.^(D)
23 Above all else, guard^(E) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.^(F)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes^(G) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet^(H)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;^(I)
    keep your foot from evil.

³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.^(A)

¹¹ Death and Destruction^[a] lie open before the Lord^(A)—
    how much more do human hearts!^(B)

¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful,^(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.^(B)

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,^(C)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.^(D)

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