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?
1 The Lord hates people who use dishonest scales. He is happy with honest weights.
2 People who are proud will soon be disgraced. It is wiser to be modest.
3 If you are good, you are guided by honesty. People who can't be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.
4 Riches will do you no good on the day you face death, but honesty can save your life.
5 Honesty makes a good person's life easier, but the wicked will cause their own downfall.
6 Righteousness rescues those who are honest, but those who can't be trusted are trapped by their own greed.
7 When the wicked die, their hope dies with them. Confidence placed in riches comes to nothing.
8 The righteous are protected from trouble; it comes to the wicked instead.
9 You can be ruined by the talk of godless people, but the wisdom of the righteous can save you.
10 A city is happy when honest people have good fortune, and there are joyful shouts when the wicked die.
11 A city becomes great when the righteous give it their blessing; but a city is brought to ruin by the words of the wicked.
12 It is foolish to speak scornfully of others. If you are smart, you will keep quiet.
13 No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy.
14 A nation will fall if it has no guidance. Many advisers mean security.
15 If you promise to pay a stranger's debt, you will regret it. You are better off if you don't get involved.
16 A gracious woman is respected, but a woman without virtue is a disgrace.
Lazy people will never have money, but aggressive people will get rich.
17 You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself.
18 Wicked people do not really gain anything, but if you do what is right, you are certain to be rewarded.
19 Anyone who is determined to do right will live, but anyone who insists on doing wrong will die.
20 The Lord hates evil-minded people, but loves those who do right.
21 You can be sure that evil people will be punished, but the righteous will escape.
22 Beauty in a woman without good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23 What good people want always results in good; when the wicked get what they want, everyone is angry.
24 Some people spend their money freely and still grow richer. Others are cautious, and yet grow poorer.
25 Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.
26 People curse someone who hoards grain, waiting for a higher price, but they praise the one who puts it up for sale.
27 If your goals are good, you will be respected, but if you are looking for trouble, that is what you will get.
28 Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn, but the righteous will prosper like the leaves of summer.
29 Those who bring trouble on their families will have nothing at the end.
Foolish people will always be servants to the wise.
30 Righteousness gives life, but violence takes it away.
31 Those who are good are rewarded here on earth, so you can be sure that wicked and sinful people will be punished.