1A FALSE balance is an abomination to LORD, but a just weight is his delight. 2When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. 4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way, but the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity. 7When a wicked man dies, [his] expectation shall perish, and the hope of iniquity perishes. 8A righteous man is delivered out of trouble, and a wicked man comes in his stead. 9The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous shall be delivered through knowledge. 10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. 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 who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 13He who goes around as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. 14Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 15He who is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure. 16A gracious woman obtains honor, and aggressive men obtain riches. 17The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. 18A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness [has] a sure reward. 19He who is steadfast in righteousness [comes] to life, and he who pursues evil [comes] to his own death. 20Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to LORD, but such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight. 21Hand in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22A ring of gold in a swine's snout, [is] a fair woman who is without discretion. 23The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is he who scatters, and increases yet more, and there he is who withholds more than is proper, but only to want. 25The generous soul shall be made prosperous, and he who waters shall also be watered himself. 26The people shall curse him who withholds grain, but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it. 27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him. 28He who trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. 29He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. And a foolish man shall be servant to a wise man of heart. 30The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. 31Behold, a righteous man shall be recompensed in the earth, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!