⁶ You people who don’t want to work, think about the ant!
    Consider its ways and be wise!
⁷ It has no commander.
    It has no leader or ruler.
⁸ But it stores up its food in summer.
    It gathers its food at harvest time.

¹² “I, wisdom, live together with understanding.
    I have knowledge and good sense.
¹³ To have respect for the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and bragging.
    I hate evil ways and twisted words.
¹⁴ I have good sense and give good advice.
    I have understanding and power.
¹⁵ By me kings rule.
    Leaders make laws that are fair.
¹⁶ By me princes and nobles govern.
    It is by me that anyone rules on earth.

⁵ The ways of honest people are made straight because they do what is right.
    But those who do what is wrong are brought down by their own sins.

²³ What godly people long for ends only in what is good.
    But what sinners hope for ends only in God’s anger.

²⁴ Hands that work hard will rule.
    But people who are lazy will be forced to work.

² The good things people say benefit them.
    But liars love to hurt others.

¹³ Anyone who hates what they are taught will pay for it later.
    But a person who respects a command will be rewarded.

²² Plans fail without good advice.
    But they succeed when there are many advisers.

³ Commit to the Lord everything you do.
    Then he will make your plans succeed.