1 ¶ A false balance is abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

2 ¶ When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble is wisdom.

3 ¶ The perfection of the upright shall guide them in the way, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 ¶ Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness shall deliver from death.

5 ¶ The righteousness of the perfect shall straighten his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 T he righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors shall be imprisoned in their own sin.

7 ¶ When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of unjust men shall perish.

8 ¶ The righteous is delivered out of the tribulation, and the wicked takes his place.

9 ¶ The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour, but the just are delivered with wisdom.

10 ¶ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are feasts.

11 B y the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 ¶ He that is void of understanding despises his neighbour, but the intelligent man remains silent.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.

14 ¶ When intelligence is lacking, the people shall fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is salvation.

15 ¶ With anxiety shall he that is surety for a stranger be afflicted, and he that hates suretiship shall live securely.

16 ¶ The gracious woman retains honour, and strong men retain riches.

17 ¶ The merciful man does good to his own soul, but the cruel man troubles his own flesh.

18 ¶ The wicked works a deceitful work, but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 ¶ As righteousness is unto life, so he that pursues evil pursues it unto his own death.

20 ¶ They that are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

21 ¶ No matter how many covenants he has made with death, the wicked shall not be absolved, but the seed of the righteous shall escape.

22 ¶ As a gold ring in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 ¶ The desire of the righteous is only good, but the hope of the wicked is wrath.

24 ¶ There are those who scatter, and more is added unto them; and there are those who withhold more than is just, but come to poverty.

25 ¶ The soul who is a blessing unto others shall be made fat, and he that fills shall be filled also himself.

26 ¶ He that withholds the grain, the people shall curse him, but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.

27 ¶ He that seeks good early shall find favour, but unto him that seeks evil, it shall come upon him.

28 ¶ He that trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 ¶ He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the fool shall be slave to the wise of heart.

30 ¶ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise.

31 ¶ The righteous shall certainly be recompensed in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!