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| 1A false balance is abomination to the
LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. 16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. |
The Lord hates cheating, but he delights in honesty. 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty. 4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death. 5 The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 6 The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them. 7 When the wicked die, their hopes all perish, for they rely on their own feeble strength. 8 God rescues the godly from danger, but he lets the wicked fall into trouble. 9 Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly. 10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the godless die. 11 Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12 It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent. 13 A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety. 15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous; it is better to refuse than to suffer later. 16 Beautiful women obtain wealth, and violent men get rich. 17 Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel. 18 Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. 19 Godly people find life; evil people find death. 20 The Lord hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity. 21 You can be sure that evil people will be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. 22 A woman who is beautiful but lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. 23 The godly can look forward to happiness, while the wicked can expect only wrath. 24 It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. 25 The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hold their grain for higher prices, but they bless the one who sells to them in their time of need. 27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! 28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. 29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. 30 The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise. 31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, how much more true that the wicked and the sinner will get what they deserve! |