Proverbs

¹⁷The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution. ¹⁸The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying]. [Hos. 10:12; Gal. 6:8, 9; James 3:18.] ¹⁹He who is steadfast in righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) attains to life, but he who pursues evil does it to his own death. ²⁰They who are willfully contrary in heart are extremely disgusting and shamefully vile in the eyes of the Lord, but such as are blameless and wholehearted in their ways are His delight! ²¹Assuredly [I pledge it] the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered. ²²As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion. ²³The desire of the [consistently] righteous brings only good, but the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.