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

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.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

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

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

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

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

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

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct 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.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

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

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

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

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

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

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

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

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

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

By 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.

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

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

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

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

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

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

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

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

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

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

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

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

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

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

As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to 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.

They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright 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.

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

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

As a jewel of gold 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.

The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation 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.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

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

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered 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.

He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

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

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

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

He that trusteth 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.

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

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

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

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

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.