¶ A false balance is¹ abomination to the LORD: but a just weight² is his delight.

¶ When pride³ cometh, then cometh shame: but⁴ with the lowly is wisdom.

¶ The integrity⁵ of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness⁶ of transgressors shall destroy them.

¶ Riches⁷ profit not in the day of wrath: but⁸ righteousness delivereth from death.

¶ The righteousness of the perfect shall direct⁹ his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness¹⁰ of the upright shall deliver them: but¹¹ transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

¶¹²When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

¶¹³The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

¶ An hypocrite¹⁴ with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through¹⁵ knowledge shall the just be delivered.

¶ When it goeth¹⁶ well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when¹⁷ the wicked perish, there is shouting.

By the blessing¹⁸ of the upright the city is exalted: but it¹⁹ is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¶ He that²⁰ is void of wisdom²¹ despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

A talebearer revealeth²³ secrets: but he²⁴ that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

¶²⁵Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

¶ He that is surety²⁶ for a stranger shall smart²⁷ for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

¶ A gracious²⁸ woman retaineth honour: and²⁹ strong men retain riches.

¶ The merciful³⁰ man doeth good to his own soul: but³¹ he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

¶ The wicked³² worketh a deceitful work: but³³ to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

¶ As righteousness³⁴ tendeth to life: so he³⁵ that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

¶ They that are of³⁶ a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright³⁷ in their way are his delight.

¶ Though hand³⁸ join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed³⁹ of the righteous shall be delivered.

¶ As a jewel⁴⁰ of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without⁴¹ discretion.

¶ The desire⁴² of the righteous is only good: but the expectation⁴³ of the wicked is wrath.

¶ There is that scattereth⁴⁴, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but⁴⁵ it tendeth to poverty.

¶ The liberal soul⁴⁶ shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

¶ He that withholdeth⁴⁷ corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing⁴⁸ shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

¶ He that diligently⁴⁹ seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

¶ He that⁵¹ trusteth in his riches shall fall: but⁵² the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

¶ He that⁵³ troubleth his own house shall inherit⁵⁴ the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

¶ The fruit⁵⁵ of the righteous is a tree of life; and⁵⁶ he that winneth⁵⁷ souls is wise.

¶⁵⁸Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.