1The LORD detests dishonest scales; but honest and accurate weights find favor with Him. 2When pride comes, disgrace follows close behind; but with humility comes wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the duplicity of transgressors shall destroy them. 4Wealth is of no value in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright shall protect them, but wrongdoers shall be undone by their own iniquity. 7When the wicked die, their hopes die with them; for they trust in their feeble strength. 8The righteous person is rescued from trouble; but that trouble comes to the wicked, instead. 9With his mouth the godless does injury to his neighbor; but through knowledge the just shall be protected. 10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of gladness. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is uplifted; but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12He that lacks wisdom shows contempt for his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 13A gossip reveals secrets, but he that is trustworthy keeps a secret. 14Where there is no wise leader, a nation falls; but with multiple counselors from different perspectives, there is security. 15He who puts up security for a stranger’s debt shall surely regret it, and he that refuses to is safer. 16A gracious woman gains honor, and strong men gain wealth. 17Those who are kind benefit their own soul, but he that is cruel brings trouble to themselves. 18The wicked do deceitful work, but he who sows righteousness shall reap a sure reward. 19As righteousness tends to life, so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. 20The LORD detests those of a perverse heart; but those that are upright in their way are His delight. 21Though they join forces, the wicked still will not go unpunished; but the righteous shall go free. 22As a gold ring in a pig's snout, so is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23The desire of the righteous end only in good, but the expectation of the wicked is only wrath. 24There is he who gives liberally, and yet gains more; and there is he that is stingy, yet it tends to poverty. 25The generous soul shall prosper, and he that refreshes others shall also be refreshed, himself. 26People shall curse the one who hoards grain; but they pray the LORD’s blessing upon the head of him that is willing to share it. 27He that diligently seeks good, finds favor; but he that seeks mischief, it shall come to him. 28He that trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall thrive like a green branch. 29He that brings trouble to his own family shall inherit only the wind; and the fool shall be servant to those of wisdom. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. 31If the righteous receive their due on the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |