18. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous and the faithless for the upright.
19. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome, worrisome wife.
20. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise person’s dwelling, but a foolish person devours all he has.
21. Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy finds life, prosperity and honor.
22. A wise person scales the city of warriors and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles.
24. A proud and haughty man —Mocker is his name— acts with overbearing pride.
25. A slacker’s craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.
26. All day long he craves greedily, yet the righteous one gives and does not hold back.