16-17 Evil people are restlessunless they’re making trouble;They can’t get a good night’s sleepunless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.Perversity is their food and drink,violence their drug of choice.
18-19 The ways of right-living people glow with light;the longer they live, the brighter they shine.But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;tune your ears to my voice.Keep my message in plain view at all times.Concentrate! Learn it by heart!Those who discover these words live, really live;body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;that’s where life starts.Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.Keep your eyes straight ahead;ignore all sideshow distractions.Watch your step,and the road will stretch out smooth before you.Look neither right nor left;leave evil in the dust.