1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him. 2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.[a] 3 [b]When a just man dies he [c]leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy. 5 Righteousness [d]traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. 7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes. 8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. 9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. 10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:[e] 11 but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown.

12 A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet. 13 A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is [f]faithful in spirit conceals matters. 14 They that have no [g]guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety. 16 A gracious wife [h]brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the [i]diligent support themselves with wealth. 17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth. 19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death. 20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him. 21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness shall receive a faithful reward. 22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded woman. 23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

24 There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.[j] 25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful. 26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it. 27 He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him. 28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.[k] 29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man. 30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time. 31 [l]If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?