Proverbs

⁴A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. [Prov. 31:23; I Cor. 11:7.] ⁵The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous. ⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones [thus endangered]. ⁷The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall stand. ⁸A man shall be commended according to his Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God], but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised. ⁹Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread. ¹⁰A [consistently] righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. [Deut. 25:4.]