Watch what you say and do

1The LORD hates anyone

who cheats,

but he likes everyone

who is honest.

2Too much pride

can put you to shame.

It's wiser to be humble.

3If you do the right thing,

honesty will be your guide.

But if you are crooked,

you will be trapped

by your own dishonesty.

4When God is angry,

money won't help you.

Obeying God is the only way

to be saved from death.

5If you are truly good,

you will do right;

if you are wicked,

you will be destroyed

by your own sin.

6Honesty can keep you safe,

but if you can't be trusted,

you trap yourself.

7When the wicked die,

their hopes die with them.

8Trouble goes right past

the LORD's people

and strikes the wicked.

9Dishonest people use gossip

to destroy their neighbours;

good people are protected

by their own good sense.

10When honest people prosper

and the wicked disappear,

the whole city celebrates.

11When God blesses his people,

their city prospers,

but deceitful liars

can destroy a city.

12It's stupid to say bad things

about your neighbours.

If you are sensible,

you will keep quiet.

13A gossip tells everything,

but a true friend

will keep a secret.

14A city without wise leaders

will end up in ruin;

a city with many wise leaders

will be kept safe.

15It's a dangerous thing

to guarantee payment

for someone's debts.

Don't do it!

16A gracious woman

will be respected,

but a man must work hard

to get rich.11.16 but…rich: Or “a ruthless man will only get rich”.

17Kindness is rewarded—

but if you are cruel,

you hurt yourself.

18Meanness gets you nowhere,

but goodness is rewarded.

19Always do the right thing,

and you will live;

keep on doing wrong,

and you will die.

20The LORD hates cunning people,

but he likes everyone

who lives right.

21You can be sure of this:

all crooks will be punished,

but God's people won't.

22A beautiful woman

who acts foolishly

is like a gold ring

on the snout of a pig.

23Good people want what is best,

but troublemakers

hope to stir up trouble.11.23 Good people…trouble: Or “Good people do what is best, but troublemakers just stir up trouble.”

24Sometimes you can become rich

by being generous

or poor by being greedy.

25Generosity will be rewarded:

give a cup of water,

and you will receive

a cup of water in return.

26Charge too much for grain,

and you will be cursed;

sell it at a fair price,

and you will be praised.

27Try hard to do right,

and you will win friends;

go looking for trouble,

and you will find it.

28Trust in your wealth,

and you will be a failure,

but God's people will prosper

like healthy plants.

29Fools who cause trouble

in the family

won't inherit a thing.

They will end up as slaves

of someone with good sense.

30Live right, and you will eat

from the life-giving tree.

And if you act wisely,

others will follow.11.30 act…follow: Hebrew; one ancient translation “but violence leads to death.”

31If good people are rewarded11.31 rewarded: Or “punished”.11.31: 1 P 4.18.

here on this earth,

all who are cruel and mean

will surely be punished.