18Plans are confirmed by getting advice, and with guidance one wages war. 19Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open. 20The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning will never be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, "I'll get even with you!" Wait for the LORD, and he will save you. 23A double standard of weights is disgusting to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good. 24The LORD is the one who directs a person's steps. How then can anyone understand his own way? 25It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, "This is a holy offering!" and later to have second thoughts about those vows. 26A wise king scatters the wicked and then runs them over. 27A person's soul is the LORD's lamp. It searches his entire innermost being. 28Mercy and truth protect a king, and with mercy he maintains his throne. 29While the glory of young men is their strength, the splendor of older people is their silver hair. 30Brutal beatings cleanse away wickedness. Such beatings cleanse the innermost being.
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