16. Speech is the beginning of every deed,and planning comes beforeevery action.
17. The key to change is the heart;
18. it poses four possibilities:good and evil, life and death,and their continual masteris the tongue.
19. Some people instruct many,but they are useless to themselves.
20. Some skilled speakers are hated;they will be deprived of any luxuries.
21. The Lord hasn’t granted themany refinement,because they are deprivedof any wisdom.
22. Some people are wise to theirown benefit,and the fruits of their understandingare evident to all.
23. The wise will instruct their own people,and the fruits of their understandingare trustworthy.
24. Wise people will be highly praised,and everyone who sees themwill consider them to be favored.
25. A person’s life is a limited time,but Israel’s days cannot be numbered.
26. Those who are wise among their peoplewill inherit honor,and their names will live forever.
27. My child, test yourself during your life.See what’s bad for you,and don’t give in to it.
28. All things aren’t beneficial to everybody,and all things aren’t pleasingto every person.
29. Don’t be greedy for every delicacy,and don’t be unrestrained with food.