Proverbs

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing. ¹⁸Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored. ¹⁹Satisfied desire is sweet to a person; therefore it is hateful and exceedingly offensive to [self-confident] fools to give up evil [upon which they have set their hearts]. ²⁰He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it. [Isa. 32:6.] ²¹Evil pursues sinners, but the consistently upright and in right standing with God is recompensed with good. ²²A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up. ²³Much food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice.