9. Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.
10. A [consistently] righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. [Deut. 25:4.]
11. He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.
12. The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fruitage].
13. The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgression of his lips, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall come out of trouble.
14. From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hands shall come back to him [as a harvest].
15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise. [Prov. 3:7; 9:9; 21:2.]
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.]