1A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah ; But a just weight is his delight . 2When pride cometh, then cometh shame ; But with the lowly is wisdom . 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them ; But the perverseness of the treacherous 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 .
The Value of Wisdom
6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them ; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity . 7When a wicked man dieth , his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth. 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble ; And the wicked cometh in his stead .
Community and Relationships
9With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor ; But through knowledge shall the righteous 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 despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom ; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace .
Generosity and Its Rewards
13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets ; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter . 14Where no wise guidance is , the people falleth ; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety . 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it ; But he that hateth suretyship is secure. 16A gracious woman obtaineth honor ; And violent men obtain riches . 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul ; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh . 18The wicked earneth deceitful wages ; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward .
The Final Outcomes
19He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life ; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death . 20They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah ; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight . 21Though hand join in hand , the evil man shall not be unpunished ; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered . 22As a ring of gold in a swine ’s snout, So is a fair woman that is without discretion . 23The desire of the righteous is only good ; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath . 24There is that scattereth , and increaseth yet more ; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet , but it tendeth only to want . 25The liberal soul shall be made fat ; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself . 26He that withholdeth grain , the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it . 27He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor ; But he that searcheth after evil , it shall come unto him . 28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall ; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf . 29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind ; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart . 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life ; And he that is wise winneth souls . 31Behold , the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner !