17 Look! Doesn’t a word exceed a good gift?And both come from a personwho is gracious.
18 A fool reproaches ungraciously,and a gift from a begrudging giverbecomes an eyesore.
19 Learn before you speak,and attend to yourselfbefore you get sick.
20 Examine yourself before judgment,and you will be reconciledwhen you are examined.
21 Humble yourself before you get sick,and when you commit sinsshow a changed heart and mind.
22 Don’t be prevented from repayinga solemn promise in a timely way,and don’t wait until deathto be vindicated.
23 Prepare yourself before makinga solemn promise,and don’t be like someonewho tests the Lord.