[1] Scales of deceit are hated by the Lord, but a true weight is his
delight. [2] When pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the
quiet in spirit. [3] The righteousness of the upright will be their guide,
but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction. [4] Wealth is
of no profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness keeps a man safe from
death. [5] The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight,
but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall. [6] The
righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will
themselves be taken in their evil designs. [7] At the death of an upright
man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes
to destruction. [8] The upright man is taken out of trouble, and in his
place comes the sinner. [9] With his mouth the evil man sends destruction
on his neighbour; but through knowledge the upright are taken out of
trouble. [10] When things go well for the upright man, all the town is
glad; at the death of sinners, there are cries of joy. [11] By the blessing
of the upright man the town is made great, but it is overturned by the
mouth of the evil-doer. [12] He who has a poor opinion of his neighbour has
no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet. [13] He who goes about talking of
others makes secrets public, but the true-hearted man keeps things covered.
[14] When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but
with a number of wise guides they will be safe. [15] He who makes himself
responsible for a strange man will undergo much loss; but the hater of such
undertakings will be safe. [16] A woman who is full of grace is honoured,
but a woman hating righteousness is a seat of shame: those hating work will
undergo loss, but the strong keep their wealth. [17] The man who has mercy
will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.
[18] The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who
puts in the seed of righteousness. [19] So righteousness gives life; but he
who goes after evil gets death for himself. [20] The uncontrolled are hated
by the Lord, but those whose ways are without error are his delight [21]
Certainly the evil-doer will not go free from punishment, but the seed of
the upright man will be safe. [22] Like a ring of gold in the nose of a
pig, is a beautiful woman who has no sense. [23] The desire of the upright
man is only for good, but wrath is waiting for the evil-doer. [24] A man
may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may
keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need. [25] He who
gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.
[26] He who keeps back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing
will be on the head of him who lets them have it for a price. [27] He who,
with all his heart, goes after what is good is searching for grace; but he
who is looking for trouble will get it. [28] He who puts his faith in
wealth will come to nothing; but the upright man will be full of growth
like the green leaf. [29] The troubler of his house will have the wind for
his heritage, and the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted. [30] The
fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, but violent behaviour takes away
souls. [31] If the upright man is rewarded on earth, how much more the
evil-doer and the sinner!
