[1] The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
[2] Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
[3] Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
[4] Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.
[5] The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
[6] The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
[7] When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.
[8] The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
[9] With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
[10] The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.
[11] Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
[12] It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
[13] A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
[14] Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.
[15] There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.
[16] A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
[17] Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.
[18] Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.
[19] Godly people find life; evil people find death.
[20] The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.
[21] Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.
[22] A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
[23] The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment.
[24] Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
[25] The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
[26] People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
[27] If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!
[28] Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
[29] Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
[30] The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
[31] If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?