111 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!

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart: 2 For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace. 3 Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart; 4 So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men. 5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. 6 In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

7 Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil: 8 This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones. 9 Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: 10 So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine. 11 My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training: 12 For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

13 Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge. 14 For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold. 15 She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her. 19 The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place. 20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

21 My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes. 22 So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck. 23 Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping. 24 When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you. 25 Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers: 26 For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.

27 Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time. 29 Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear. 30 Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. 31 Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example. 32 For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright. 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright. 34 He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted. 35 The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.