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.
21. He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. [Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6.]
22. A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23. He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. [Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; James 3:2.]
24. The proud and haughty man–Scoffer is his name–deals and acts with overbearing pride.
25. The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26. He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
27. The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]–how much more when he brings it with evil intention?
28. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.
29. A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
30. There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.