11¹ Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.

² When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

³ The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

⁷ When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.

⁹ The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. ¹¹ By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¹² He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. ¹³ A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

¹⁴ Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

¹⁵ He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.

¹⁶ A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches.

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

¹⁸ The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

¹⁹ As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

²⁰ Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their ways are His delight.

²¹ Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

²² As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

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

²⁴ There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

²⁵ The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

²⁶ The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

²⁷ He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

²⁸ He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

²⁹ He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

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

³¹ If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; ² For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. ³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, ⁴ And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. ⁸ It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. ⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; ¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; ¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. ¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; ²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds 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 to your neck. ²³ Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; ²⁶ For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake. ³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; ³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. ³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. ³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.