¹⁸ The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.^(A)

¹⁹ Genuine righteousness leads to life,^(B)
but pursuing evil leads to death.^(C)

²⁰ Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.^(D)

²¹ Be assured^[a] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,^(E)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

²³ The desire of the righteous turns out well,^(A)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.^(B)