¹⁰ Because wisdom will penetrate deep within
    and knowledge will become a good friend to your soul.
¹¹ Sound judgment will stand guard over you,
    and understanding will watch over you as the Lord promised.

¹⁴ Do not start down the road of the wicked—
    the first step is easy, but it leads to heartache—
    do not go along the way of evildoers.
¹⁵ Stay away from it; don’t even go past it—
    and if you find yourself anywhere near it,
    turn your back and run as far as you can in the opposite direction.
¹⁶ For evildoers are so twisted they cannot sleep unless they have caused harm;
    they’ll lie awake all night until they figure out a way to cause someone to stumble.
¹⁷ For they feed on evil the way most eat bread;
    they drink violence the way most guzzle wine.
¹⁸ Yet the way of those who do right is like the early morning sun
    that shines brighter and brighter until noon.
¹⁹ Evildoers travel a dark road because they love to hide their deeds in darkness;
    they can’t see the perils ahead that cause them to stumble.

²⁰ One who walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but whoever keeps company with fools only hurts himself.

²⁸ Perverse people stir up contention;
    gossip makes best friends into enemies.

¹² Better to face a mother bear stripped of her cubs
    than to encounter a fool caught up in his foolishness.

¹⁷ A true friend loves regardless of the situation,
    and a real brother exists to share the tough times.

²⁴ Someone with many so-called friends may end up friendless,
    but a true friend is closer than a brother.

⁴ Wealth attracts many friends,
    but the poor are soon separated from theirs.

⁶ Many try to win the favor of a generous person,
    and everyone is a friend to someone who gives gifts.
⁷ If a poor man is hated by his relatives,
    it is even more likely his friends will avoid him too!
Anyone who is calling after them
    [is not to be found].^[a]