aA false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
bbut a just weight is his delight.
2 aWhen pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with bthe humble is wisdom.
3 aThe integrity of the upright guides them,
bbut the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 aRiches do not profit in the day of wrath,
bbut righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless akeeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 aThe righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous bare taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his ahope will perish,
and bthe expectation of wealth perishes too.
8 aThe righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 aWhen it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but aby the mouth of the wicked bit is overthrown.
12 Whoever abelittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever agoes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is ano guidance, a people falls,
abut in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 aWhoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 aA gracious woman gets honor,
and bviolent men get riches.
17 aA man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who asows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness awill live,
but bhe who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of acrooked heart are ban abomination to the Lord,
but those of cblameless ways are dhis delight.
21 aBe assured, ban evil person will not go unpunished,
but cthe offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like aa gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
athe expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 aOne gives bfreely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 aWhoever brings blessing bwill be enriched,
and cone who waters will himself be watered.
26 aThe people curse him who holds back grain,
but ba blessing is on the head of him who csells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to ahim who searches for it.
28 Whoever atrusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will bflourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever atroubles his own household will binherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is aa tree of life,
and whoever bcaptures souls is wise.
31 If athe righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!