1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.11.1 A false…: Heb. Balances of deceit11.1 just…: Heb. perfect stone 2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.11.5 direct: Heb. rectify 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.11.12 void…: Heb. destitute of heart 13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.11.13 A talebearer: Heb. He that walketh, being a talebearer 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.11.15 smart: Heb. be sore broken11.15 suretiship: Heb. those that strike hands 16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.11.22 is without: Heb. departeth from 23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.11.25 liberal…: Heb. soul of blessing 26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.11.30 winneth: Heb. taketh 31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
1The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favour with him.
2When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
all the promise of11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from their power comes to nothing.
8The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
9With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbours,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
13A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
14For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisors.
15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
16A kind-hearted woman gains honour,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19Truly the righteous attain life,
but whoever pursues evil finds death.
20The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.
22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27Whoever seeks good finds favour,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31If the righteous receive their due on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
