1 D ishonest scales are an 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 W hen pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

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

3 T he integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

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

4 R iches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

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

5 T he righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

¶ 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 will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

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

7 W hen a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.

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

8 T he righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.

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

9 T he hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

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

10 W hen it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

¶ 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.

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 H e who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.

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

13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

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

14 W here there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

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

15 H e who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.

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

16 A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches.

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

17 T he merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

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

18 T he wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

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

19 A s righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

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

20 T hose who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their ways are His delight.

¶ 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 T hough they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

¶ 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 A s a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

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

23 T he desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

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

24 T here is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

¶ 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 T he generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

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

26 T he people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

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

27 H e who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

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

28 H e who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

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

29 H e who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

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

30 T he fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

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

31 I f the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

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