Proverbs

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. ²⁴There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.