111 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh,
but accurate weights are his delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes shame,
but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them,
but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

4 Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way,
but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,
but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

7 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes,
and expectation of power comes to nothing.

8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble,
and the wicked takes his place.

9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
When the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom,
but a man of understanding holds his peace. 13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence,
but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls,
but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it,
but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

16 A gracious woman obtains honor,
but violent men obtain riches.

17 The merciful man does good to his own soul,
but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages,
but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 He who is truly righteous gets life.
He who pursues evil gets death.

20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh,
but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished,
but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout,
is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good.
The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more.
There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat.
He who waters shall be watered also himself.

26 People curse someone who withholds grain,
but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
He who is wise wins souls.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth;
how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, don’t forget my teaching;
but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and years of life,
and peace, will they add to you. 3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor,
and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body,
and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor Yahweh with your substance,
with the first fruits of all your increase: 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline,
neither be weary of his reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves;
even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies.
None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her. 19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
By understanding, he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
and the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so they will be life to your soul,
and grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won’t stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again;
tomorrow I will give it to you,”
when you have it by you. 29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
seeing he dwells securely by you. 30 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
if he has done you no harm. 31 Don’t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
but his friendship is with the upright. 33 Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34 Surely he mocks the mockers,
but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit glory,
but shame will be the promotion of fools.