16. A gracious and good woman wins honor [for her husband], and violent men win riches but a woman who hates righteousness is a throne of dishonor for him.
17. The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution.
18. The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying]. [Hos. 10:12; Gal. 6:8, 9; James 3:18.]
19. He who is steadfast in righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) attains to life, but he who pursues evil does it to his own death.
20. They who are willfully contrary in heart are extremely disgusting and shamefully vile in the eyes of the Lord, but such as are blameless and wholehearted in their ways are His delight!
21. Assuredly [I pledge it] the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered.
22. As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion.
23. The desire of the [consistently] righteous brings only good, but the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.
24. There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.
25. The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
26. The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it], but a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it.
27. He who diligently seeks good seeks [God's] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him.
28. He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough.
29. He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.