21. “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” Though the wicked endeavor to strengthen himself and his family by powerful leagues and confederacies, and his successors also have mighty associates to maintain his acquisitions, they shall not be able to defend themselves from the punishment their iniquity deserves but the posterity of the righteous need not be at such pains; but though deserted by men, escape the danger into which the other fail by the help of God alone.
22. “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” As a golden ring is ill placed in the snout of a swine, which is always muting in the mire: so is beauty ill bestowed on the body of a woman whose mind having lost all favor and relish of virtue, carries her from her husband to wallow in filthy lusts and adulterous pleasures.
23. “The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” The righteous desire nothing but that it may be well with all men; but the wicked wish for trouble and disturbance, especially that they may execute their malice and wrath upon those whom they hate: and accordingly God will deal with them; good things shall be the portion of the righteous, but His just indignation shall frustrate the expectation of the wicked.
24. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” You may see by this how miserably they are mistaken who imagine none so wise as the penurious; that you shall find here and there a man who communicates readily and liberally to the necessities of others; and yet his estate is so far from being impaired thereby, that it increases: when others who are so saving that they will part with nothing, no not upon the most just occasions, do not thrive at all, but by one means or other become beggars.
25. “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” Let not him therefore that bestows benefits imagine thereby he shall be impoverished, for it is the certain way to enrich himself: and the larger his charity is, and the more diffused for the refreshment of others, the greater the abundance shall be poured on him, and the abler still shall he grow to do more good.
26. “He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” He that hoardeth up corn in time of scarcity, on purpose to raise the price, shall fall into the popular hatred; and be loaded with many a curse: but he who then opens his granaries and sells at a moderate rate, shall not only have the peoples good word, but the blessing of God.
27. “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” He that from the time he riseth, studies nothing but to doe good to others, shall obtain favor both with God and man: but he whose business it is to doe mischief, shall draw upon himself the evil he deigns against others.
28. “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” He whose confidence in riches as the surest support and defense, makes him covetous, unjust and unmerciful, shall fall into decay like a withered leaf: but they whose pious dependence upon God, makes them just and charitable; like a flourishing tree, shall thrive and prosper.
29. “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” He that makes and cherishes dissentions and factions in his own family (or kingdom) may by making a great bustle and stir, seem to be a notable man; but will not only be deceived in his expectations, but defame his government, and bring his estate to nothing: nay, it is oftentimes seen that he who is thus foolish, loses all his authority, and becomes a servant to him who administers his affairs with a more prudent care.
30. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” The benefit the world receives from a just and charitable man is so great that it may be compared to the fruit of the tree of life; which keeps mankind from being miserable: but he is the greatest benefactor of all who communicates wisdom so charitably and seasonably; that he draws souls to the love of virtue.
31. “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” But who is there so good as to doe or to suffer no evil? And if God do not let the just and charitable men (mark what I say), they who are so useful, and beneficial to the world go without correction; who can think that the wicked, who is good for nothing, but obstinately contemns and breaks all laws of God and man shall escape the just punishment of his evil crimes?