17  wA man who is kind benefits himself,

but a cruel man hurts himself.

18  The wicked earns deceptive wages,

but one who xsows righteousness gets a sure reward.

19  Whoever is steadfast in righteousness ywill live,

but zhe who pursues evil will die.

20  Those of acrooked heart are ban abomination to the Lord,

but those of cblameless ways are dhis delight.

21  eBe assured, fan evil person will not go unpunished,

but gthe offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

22  Like ha gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman without discretion.

23  The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

ithe expectation of the wicked in wrath.

24  jOne gives kfreely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

25  lWhoever brings blessing mwill be enriched,

and none who waters will himself be watered.

26  oThe people curse him who holds back grain,

but pa blessing is on the head of him who qsells it.

27  Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,2

but evil comes to rhim who searches for it.

28  Whoever strusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will tflourish like a green leaf.

29  Whoever utroubles his own household will vinherit the wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30  The fruit of the righteous is wa tree of life,

and whoever xcaptures souls is wise.

31  If ythe righteous is repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner!