1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. |
2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. |
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. |
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. |
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. |
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. |
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes. |
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead. |
9 The hypocrite with his mouth 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, there is jubilation. |
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, 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 spirit conceals a matter. |
14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. |
15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure. |
16 A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. |
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. |
18 The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. |
19 As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. |
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. |
21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. |
22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. |
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. |
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. |
25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. |
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. |
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. |
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. |
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. |
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. |
31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner. |