17 Unreliable messengers cause trouble, but those who can be trusted bring peace.
18 Someone who will not learn will be poor and disgraced. Anyone who listens to correction is respected.
19 How good it is to get what you want! Stupid people refuse to turn away from evil.
20 Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.
21 Trouble follows sinners everywhere, but righteous people will be rewarded with good things.
22 Good people will have wealth to leave to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners will go to the righteous.
23 Unused fields could yield plenty of food for the poor, but unjust people keep them from being farmed.