18
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who
1sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness
2will live, but
3he who pursues evil will die.
20
Those of
4crooked heart are
5an abomination to the LORD, but those of
6blameless ways are
7his delight.
21
8Be assured,
9an evil person will not go unpunished, but
10the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22
Like
11a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
12the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24
13One gives
14freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25
15Whoever brings blessing
16will be enriched, and
17one who waters will himself be watered.
26
18The people curse him who holds back grain, but
19a blessing is on the head of him who
20sells it.
27
Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to
21him who searches for it.
28
Whoever
22trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will
23flourish like a green leaf.