Proverbs

1A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.

2Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.

3The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.

4Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.

5The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

6The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.

7When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.

8The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.

9The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.

10When it goeth well with the just the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish there shall be praise.

11By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.

12He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.

13He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.

14Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.

15He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of the snares, shall be secure.

16A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.

17A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.

18The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.

19Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.

20A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.

21Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.

22A golden ring in a swine’s snout, a woman fair and foolish.

23The desire of the just is all good: the expectation of the wicked is indignation.

24Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.

25The soul which blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

26He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.

27Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things shall be oppressed by them.

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.

29He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.

30The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls, is wise.

31If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.

Dishonest Scales

1Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD,but an accurate weight is His delight.

2When pride comes, disgrace follows,but with humility comes wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright guides them,but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.

4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath,but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path,but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them,but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.

7When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes,and the hope of his strength vanishes.

8The righteous man is delivered from trouble;in his place the wicked man goes in.

9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor,but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices,and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11By the blessing of the upright a city is built up,but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment,but a man of understanding remains silent.

13A gossip reveals a secret,but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14For lack of guidance, a nation falls,but with many counselors comes deliverance.

15He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.

16A gracious woman attains honor,but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17A kind man benefits himself,but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

18The wicked man earns an empty wage,but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

19Genuine righteousness leads to life,but the pursuit of evil brings death.

20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,but the blameless in their walk are His delight.

21Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished,but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snoutis a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23The desire of the righteous leads only to good,but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.

24One gives freely, yet gains even more;another withholds what is right, only to become poor.

25A generous soul will prosper,and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26The people will curse the hoarder of grain,but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

27He who searches out good finds favor,but evil will come to him who seeks it.

28He who trusts in his riches will fall,but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind,and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

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

31If the righteous receive their due on earth,how much more the ungodly and the sinner!