⁴ Riches are of no help on the day of fury,
but righteousness saves from death.

¹⁶ A gracious woman takes hold of honor,
but ruthless men take hold of riches.^[a]
17 A merciful man benefits his own soul,
but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.
¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

²⁸ Whoever trusts his wealth will fall,
but righteous people will flourish like green plants.

¹¹ Wealth gained out of thin air^[a] shrinks,
but wealth accumulated by steady work grows.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.

²⁷ Someone who is greedy for gain brings trouble to his own household,
but a person who hates bribes will live.

⁸ A bribe works like a charm for the person who gives it.
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

¹⁷ Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

²¹ An inheritance easily obtained^[a] in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.

⁵ The plans of a hard worker lead to abundance,
but everyone in a hurry rushes toward scarcity.
⁶ Piling up treasure by a lying tongue
    is a vanishing vapor for those who seek death.
⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.