¹⁶ A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
^17 (A)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
¹⁸ The wicked man does deceptive work,
But ^(B)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

^28 (A)He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But ^(B)the righteous will flourish like foliage.

^11 (A)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

^16 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.

^27 (A)He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.

⁸ A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

^17 (A)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

^21 (A)An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning
^(B)Will not be blessed at the end.

^5 (A)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

^6 (B)Getting treasures by a lying tongue
^[a]Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will ^[b]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.