aDishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes ashame;
But with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide athem,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 aRiches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But brighteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own awickedness.
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 aperish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 aThe 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 aWhen 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 aexalted,
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 aA talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit bconceals a matter.
14 aWhere there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15 He who is asurety 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 aThe 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 ahe who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to alife,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own bdeath.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 aThough they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But bthe 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 ais wrath.
24 There is one who ascatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 aThe generous soul will be made rich,
bAnd he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse ahim who withholds grain,
But bblessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
aBut trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
28 aHe who trusts in his riches will fall,
But bthe righteous will flourish like foliage.
29 He who troubles his own house awill inherit the wind,
And the fool will be bservant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And ahe who wins souls is wise.
31 aIf the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.