16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,r

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.s

19 Truly the righteous attain life,t

but whoever pursues evil finds death.u

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,v

but he delightsw in those whose ways are blameless.x

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free.y

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generousz person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.a