16. A fool's wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult.
17. He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit.
18. There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19. Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy.
21. No [actual] evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity. [Job 5:19; Ps. 91:3; Prov. 12:13; Isa. 46:4; Jer. 1:8; Dan. 6:27; II Tim. 4:18.]
22. Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight. [Prov. 6:17; 11:20; Rev. 22:15.]
23. A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of [self-confident] fools proclaims their folly. [Isa. 32:6.]
24. The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. [Ps. 50:4; Prov. 15:13.]
26. The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.
27. The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.
28. Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life). [John 3:36; 4:36; 8:51; 11:26; I Cor. 15:54; Gal. 6:8.]