[16] A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. [17] Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. [18] A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. [19] Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. [20] The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. [21] Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. [22] Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. [23] The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. [24] One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. [25] A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. [26] People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. [27] Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. [28] Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. [29] Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. [30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. [31] If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
