18. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,and the unfaithful for the upright.
19. Better to live in a desertthan with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20. The wise store up choice food and olive oil,but fools gulp theirs down.
21. Whoever pursues righteousness and lovefinds life, prosperity and honour.
22. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mightyand pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23. Those who guard their mouths and their tongueskeep themselves from calamity.
24. The proud and arrogant person – ‘Mocker’ is his name –behaves with insolent fury.
25. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,because his hands refuse to work.
26. All day long he craves for more,but the righteous give without sparing.
27. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable –how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28. A false witness will perish,but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29. The wicked put up a bold front,but the upright give thought to their ways.
30. There is no wisdom, no insight, no planthat can succeed against the Lord.