¹⁷ He is in the way of life who heeds correction, But he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

¹⁰ There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: Whoever hates reproof shall die.

²³ For the commandment is a lamp, And the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

¹² And say, "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof;

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

¹ My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:

² For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.

²⁵ But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;

²⁶ I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

⁵ Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;

⁶ and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;

⁷ and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.

⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

¹¹ For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

²⁵ See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,

¹ Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

²⁸ But he said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."

²⁴ "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.

²⁵ The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock.

²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.

²⁷ The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

⁶ Don't allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don't protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

¹ He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck Will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

¹⁷ Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, If all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹ That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.

¹ Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

¹³ Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

⁴ He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

³⁰ They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

¹⁶ It happened, as he talked with him, that [the king] said to him, Have we made you of the king's counsel? Stop! Why should you be struck down? Then the prophet stopped, and said, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel.