1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,

but an accurate weight is his delight.

2When pride comes, then comes disgrace;

but wisdom is with the humble.

3The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight,

but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright saves them,

but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.

7When the wicked die, their hope perishes,

and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.

8The righteous are delivered from trouble,

and the wicked get into it instead.

9With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbours,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12Whoever belittles another lacks sense,

but an intelligent person remains silent.

13A gossip goes about telling secrets,

but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.

14Where there is no guidance, a nation11.14 Or an army falls,

but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.

15To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble,

but there is safety in refusing to do so.

16A gracious woman gets honour,

but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.11.16 Compare Gk Syr: Heb lacks but she…shame

The timid become destitute,11.16 Gk: Heb lacks The timid…destitute

but the aggressive gain riches.

17Those who are kind reward themselves,

but the cruel do themselves harm.

18The wicked earn no real gain,

but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.

19Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,

but whoever pursues evil will die.

20Crooked minds are an abomination to the LORD,

but those of blameless ways are his delight.

21Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will escape.

22Like a gold ring in a pig's snout

is a beautiful woman without good sense.

23The desire of the righteous ends only in good;

the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

24Some give freely, yet grow all the richer;

others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.

25A generous person will be enriched,

and one who gives water will get water.

26The people curse those who hold back grain,

but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.

27Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favour,

but evil comes to the one who searches for it.

28Those who trust in their riches will wither,11.28 Cn: Heb fall

but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

29Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

but violence11.30 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb a wise man takes lives away.

31If the righteous are repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner!