1 False balances are an abomination vnto the Lord: but a perfite weight pleaseth him. 2 When pride commeth, then commeth shame: but with the lowly is wisdome. 3 The vprightnes of the iust shall guide them: but the frowardnes of the transgressers shall destroy them. 4 Riches auaile not in the day of wrath: but righteousnes deliuereth from death. 5 The righteousnes of the vpright shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall in his owne wickednes. 6 The righteousnesse of the iust shall deliuer them: but the transgressers shall be taken in their owne wickednes. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his hope perisheth, and the hope of the vniust shall perish. 8 The righteous escapeth out of trouble, and the wicked shall come in his steade. 9 An hypocrite with his mouth hurteth his neighbour: but the righteous shall be deliuered by knowledge. 10 In the prosperitie of the righteous the citie reioyceth, and when the wicked perish, there is ioye. 11 By the blessing of the righteous, the citie is exalted: but it is subuerted by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that despiseth his neighbour, is destitute of wisedome: but a man of vnderstanding will keepe silence. 13 Hee that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth a secret: but hee that is of a faithfull heart concealeth a matter. 14 Where no counsell is, the people fall: but where many counsellers are, there is health. 15 Hee shall be sore vexed, that is suretie for a stranger, and he that hateth suretiship, is sure. 16 A gracious woman atteineth honour, and the strong men atteine riches. 17 Hee that is mercifull, rewardeth his owne soule: but he that troubleth his own flesh, is cruel. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful worke: but hee that soweth righteousnes, shall receiue a sure rewarde. 19 As righteousnes leadeth to life: so hee that followeth euill, seeketh his owne death. 20 They that are of a froward heart, are abomination to the Lord: but they that are vpright in their way, are his delite. 21 Though hande ioyne in hande, the wicked shall not be vnpunished: but the seede of the righteous shall escape. 22 As a iewell of golde in a swines snoute: so is a faire woman, which lacketh discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous is onely good: but the hope of the wicked is indignation. 24 There is that scattereth, and is more increased: but hee that spareth more then is right, surely commeth to pouertie. 25 The liberall person shall haue plentie: and he that watereth, shall also haue raine. 26 He that withdraweth the corne, the people will curse him: but blessing shalbe vpon the head of him that selleth corne. 27 He that seeketh good things, getteth fauour: but he that seeketh euill, it shall come to him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches, shall fall: but the righteous shall florish as a leafe. 29 He that troubleth his owne house, shall inherite the winde, and the foole shalbe seruant to the wise in heart. 30 The fruite of the righteous is as a tree of life, and he that winneth soules, is wise. 31 Beholde, the righteous shalbe recompensed in the earth: howe much more the wicked and the sinner?
Watch What You Say and Do
1 The Lord hates anyone
who cheats,
but he likes everyone
who is honest.
2 Too much pride
can put you to shame.
It's wiser to be humble.
3 If you do the right thing,
honesty will be your guide.
But if you are crooked,
you will be trapped
by your own dishonesty.
4 When God is angry,
money won't help you.
Obeying God is the only way
to be saved from death.
5 If you are truly good,
you will do right;
if you are wicked,
you will be destroyed
by your own sin.
6 Honesty can keep you safe,
but if you can't be trusted,
you trap yourself.
7 When the wicked die,
their hopes die with them.
8 Trouble goes right past
the Lord's people
and strikes the wicked.
9 Dishonest people use gossip
to destroy their neighbors;
good people are protected
by their own good sense.
10 When honest people prosper
and the wicked disappear,
the whole city celebrates.
11 Good people bring prosperity
to their city,
but deceitful liars
can destroy a city.
12 It's stupid to say bad things
about your neighbors.
If you are sensible,
you will keep quiet.
13 A gossip tells everything,
but a true friend
will keep a secret.
14 A city without wise leaders
will end up in ruin;
a city with many wise leaders
will be kept safe.
15 It's a dangerous thing
to guarantee payment
for someone's debts.
Don't do it!
16 A gracious woman
will be respected,
but a ruthless man
will only get rich.
17 Kindness is rewarded—
but if you are cruel,
you hurt yourself.
18 Meanness gets you nowhere,
but goodness is rewarded.
19 Always do the right thing,
and you will live;
keep on doing wrong,
and you will die.
20 The Lord hates sneaky people,
but he likes everyone
who lives right.
21 You can be sure of this:
All crooks will be punished,
but God's people won't.
22 A beautiful woman
who acts foolishly
is like a gold ring
on the snout of a pig.
23 Good people want what is best,
but troublemakers
hope to stir up trouble.
24 Sometimes you can become rich
by being generous
or poor by being greedy.
25 Generosity will be rewarded:
Give a cup of water,
and you will receive
a cup of water in return.
26 Charge too much for grain,
and you will be cursed;
sell it at a fair price,
and you will be praised.
27 Try hard to do right,
and you will win friends;
go looking for trouble,
and you will find it.
28 Trust in your wealth,
and you will be a failure,
but God's people will prosper
like healthy plants.
29 Fools who cause trouble
in the family
won't inherit a thing.
They will end up as slaves
of someone with good sense.
30 Live right, and you will eat
from the life-giving tree.
And if you act wisely,
others will follow.
31 If good people are rewarded
here on this earth,
all who are cruel and mean
will surely be punished.