³ A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,^(A)
and the Lord is the tester of hearts.^(B)

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower;^(A)
the righteous run to it and are protected.^[a](B)

²⁴ One with many friends may be harmed,^[a]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.^(A)

¹⁷ Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord,^(A)
and he will give a reward to the lender.^[a](B)

²¹ Many plans are in a person’s heart,
but the Lord’s decree will prevail.^(A)

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.^(A)

²² Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” ^(A)
Wait on the Lord,^(B) and he will rescue you.^(C)

²⁴ Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,^(A)
so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁷ The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,^[a]
searching the innermost parts.^[b](A)