12. The [uncompromisingly] righteous man considers well the house of the wicked–how the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13. Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard. [Matt. 18:30-34; James 2:13.]
14. A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.
15. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.
16. A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).
17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18. The wicked become a ransom for the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and the treacherous for the upright [because the wicked themselves fall into the traps and pits they have dug for the good].
19. It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.
20. There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.