21. My son, fear the Lord and the king;Do not associate with those given to change;
22. For their calamity will rise suddenly,And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
23. These things also belong to the wise:It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
24. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”Him the people will curse;Nations will abhor him.
25. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,And a good blessing will come upon them.
26. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27. Prepare your outside work,Make it fit for yourself in the field;And afterward build your house.
28. Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,For would you deceive with your lips?
29. Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;I will render to the man according to his work.”
30. I went by the field of the lazy man,And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31. And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;Its surface was covered with nettles;Its stone wall was broken down.
32. When I saw it, I considered it well;I looked on it and received instruction: