16 A gracious woman retains honor,

But ruthless men retain riches.

17 oThe merciful man does good for his own soul,

But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,

But phe who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

19 As righteousness leads to qlife,

So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own rdeath.

20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,

But the blameless in their ways are His delight.

21 sThough they join 7forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;

But tthe posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,

So is a lovely woman who lacks 8discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,

But the expectation of the wicked uis wrath.

24 There is one who vscatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.

25 wThe generous soul will be made rich,

xAnd he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse yhim who withholds grain,

But zblessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good 9finds favor,

aBut trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 bHe who trusts in his riches will fall,

But cthe righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house dwill inherit the wind,

And the fool will be eservant to the wise of heart.

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

And fhe who 1wins souls is wise.

31 gIf the righteous will be 2recompensed on the earth,

How much more the ungodly and the sinner.