1 Dishonest scalesarean abomination to theLord,
But a just weightisHis delight.
2 When pride comes, then comesshame;
But with the humbleiswisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guidethem,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
# Butrighteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright,
# But the wicked will fall by his ownwickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught bytheirlust.
7 When a wicked man dies,hisexpectation willperish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite withhismouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish,thereisjubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city isexalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
# But he who is of a faithful spiritconceals a matter.
14 Wherethereisno counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselorsthereissafety.
15 He who issurety for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates being surety is secure.
16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthlessmenretain riches.
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
Buthewhoiscruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wickedmandoes deceptive work,
# Buthe who sows righteousnesswillhavea sure reward.
19 As righteousnessleadstolife,
# So he who pursues evilpursuesitto his owndeath.
20 Those who are of a perverse heartarean abomination to theLord,
Buttheblameless in their waysareHis delight.
21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
# Butthe posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Asa ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
Soisa lovely woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteousisonly good,
# Butthe expectation of the wickediswrath.
24 There isonewhoscatters, yet increases more;
And there isonewho withholds more than is right,
But itleadsto poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
# And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will cursehim who withholds grain,
# Butblessingwillbeon the head of him who sellsit.
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
# But trouble will come to him who seeksevil.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
# Butthe righteous will flourish like foliage.
29 He who troubles his own housewill inherit the wind,
# And the foolwillbeservant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteousisatree of life,
# Andhe who wins soulsiswise.
31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.