16 Let reason be the beginning of every work.

Let counsel go before every action.

17 As a token of the changing of the heart,

18 four kinds of things rise up:

good and evil, life and death.

That which rules over them continually is the tongue.

19 There is one who is clever and the instructor of many,

and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.

20 There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated.

He will be destitute of all food.

21 Because grace was not given to him from the master,

because he is deprived of all wisdom.

22 There is one who is wise to his own soul;

and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.

23 A wise man will instruct his own people.

The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.

24 A wise man will be filled with blessing.

All those who see him will call him happy.

25 The life of a man is counted by days.

The days of Yisrael (Israel) are innumerable.

26 The wise man will inherit confidence amongst his people.

His name will live forever.