Honest Scales
1Dishonest scales are an abomination to Yahweh, but a full weight is his delight. 2Pride comes, and then comes shame, but with the modest is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. 4Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death. 5The righteousness of the person of integrity makes his way straight, but the wicked man falls by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are caught by their own craving. 7When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the expectation set on strength is lost. 8The righteous is rescued from trouble, and the wicked comes into it in his place. 9With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. 10When it goes well with the righteous, the town rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11By the blessing of the upright a town is raised up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. 12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet. 13Whoever goes about as a gossip reveals a secret, but the trustworthy in spirit keeps a matter hidden. 14Where there is no guidance a people falls, but there is deliverance in many counselors. 15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but whoever hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
Generosity and Greed
16A gracious woman holds on to honor, but ruthless men hold on to riches. 17A kind man does good to himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh. 18The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness, a sure reward. 19So righteousness leads to life, but whoever pursues evil, to his own death. 20The crooked in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose way has integrity are his delight. 21Be sure of it: the evil man will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape. 22A gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who has turned from good sense. 23The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked, in wrath. 24One gives freely and gains still more; another withholds what is due and comes only to want. 25A generous soul will be enriched, and whoever gives water will himself be watered. 26Whoever hoards grain, the people curse him, but a blessing is on the head of the one who sells it. 27Whoever seeks good earnestly seeks favor, but whoever searches for evil—it will come to him. 28Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. 29Whoever brings trouble on his own house will inherit wind, and the senseless will be servant to the wise in heart. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever wins people is wise. 31If the righteous are repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
