How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight rather than silver!

Proverbs 16:16

This verse begins another collection of wisdom proverbs that continues through 16:23. This collection urges all of us to acquire wisdom, and as you can see, getting wisdom and insight is better than gold and silver.

The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

Pride goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit before a fall.

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

Proverbs 17-19

These verses provide an interesting prelude to the rest of this collection. Notice that verse 17 speaks of a highway or a way or route of the upright and protecting oneself from destruction in the process. This comes together like a metaphor for vv. 18-19. With that in mind, stay on that righteous road and protect yourself from evil ways to preserve your life… and vv. 18-19 tell you how to go about it.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.

Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
    and their lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:20-23

The collection ends with these verses that tell us what the result of acquiring wisdom will look like as if to ask, “OK Reader, which is it going to be?”