1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them. 4 Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9 With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered. 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15 It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure. 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches. 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life, so he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death. 20 The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in their way are his delight. 21 Hand for hand! an evil man shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22 A fair woman who is without discretion, is as a gold ring in a swine's snout. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but it tendeth only to want. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf. 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner. | |