18 If you care for your orchard, you’ll enjoy its fruit;if you honor your boss, you’ll be honored.
19 Just as water mirrors your face,so your face mirrors your heart.
20 Hell has a voracious appetite,and lust just never quits.
21 The purity of silver and gold is testedby putting them in the fire;The purity of human hearts is testedby giving them a little fame.
22 Pound on a fool all you like—you can’t pound out foolishness.
23-27 Know your sheep by name;carefully attend to your flocks;(Don’t take them for granted;possessions don’t last forever, you know.)And then, when the crops are inand the harvest is stored in the barns,You can knit sweaters from lambs’ wool,and sell your goats for a profit;There will be plenty of milk and meatto last your family through the winter.