³³ The Lord’s curse rests on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ Although he scorns the scornful,
he gives grace to the humble.

²³ Above all else, guard your heart carefully,
because your life flows from it.
²⁴ Turn your mouth away from perverted speech,
and keep devious lips far away from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead.
Let your gaze^[a] be directly in front of you.
²⁶ Make a level pathway for your feet,
and all your ways will be secure.
²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or the left.
Turn your feet away from evil.

³⁵ because whoever finds me finds life,
and he obtains favor from the Lord,

⁶ Blessings crown the head of a righteous person,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.^[a]

¹⁷ A merciful man benefits his own soul,
but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.