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 lowly is wisdom. ³ The integrity of the upright will guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them. ⁴ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death. ⁵ The righteousness of the perfect will direct his way: but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright will deliver them: but transgressors will be taken in their own naughtiness. ⁷ When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes. ⁸ The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead. ⁹ A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour: but through knowledge will the just be delivered. ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: 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 is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace. ¹³ A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. ¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ¹⁵ He that is guarantee for a stranger will learn the hard way : and he who hates pledges is secure. ¹⁶ A gracious woman retains honour: and strong men retain riches. ¹⁷ The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh. ¹⁸ The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness will be a sure reward. ¹⁹ As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. ²⁰ Those are of a perverse heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. ²¹ though hand join in hand, the wicked will not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous will be delivered. ²² 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 expectation of the wicked is wrath. ²⁴ There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty. ²⁵ The liberal soul will be made fat: and he that waters will be watered also himself. ²⁶ He that withholds corn, the people will curse him: but blessing will be on the head of him that sells [it]. ²⁷ He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it will come to him. ²⁸ He that trusts in his riches will fall: but the righteous will flourish as a branch. ²⁹ He that troubles his own house will inherit the wind: and the fool will 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. ³¹ See, the righteous will be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.