17. Don't be too sinful. And don't be foolish. Why die before your time comes?
18. It's good to hold on to both of those things. Don't let go of either one. A man who has respect for God will avoid going too far in either direction.
19. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20. There isn't anyone on earth who does only what is right and never sins.
21. Don't pay attention to everything people say. If you do, you might hear your servant calling down a curse on you.
22. Many times you yourself have called down curses on others. Deep down inside, you know that's true.
23. I used wisdom to put all of those things to the test. I said, "I've made up my mind to be wise." But it was more than I could accomplish.
24. No matter what else wisdom may be, it's far away and very deep. Who can find it?