11
1 Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate,
but he delights in a precise weight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
4 Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath,
but doing right keeps you from death.
5 The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight,
but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.
6 The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe,
but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes
and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.
8 The righteous person is kept away from trouble
and it comes upon the wicked instead.
9 With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.
10 When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great;
by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.
12 The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense,
but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
13 Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets,
but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.
14 Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls,
but victory comes by consulting many advisors.
15 Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.
16 A gracious woman gets honor,
but ruthless people grasp for wealth.
17 A kind person benefits himself,
but one who is cruel hurts himself.
18 The wicked person lies to get his wages,
but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.
19 An honest person who does what is right will live,
but the one who pursues evil will die.
20 Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse,
but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished,
but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's nose
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desires of righteous people result in good,
but wicked people can only hope for wrath.
24 There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more;
another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.
25 The generous person will prosper
and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.
26 People curse the man who refuses to sell grain,
but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.
27 The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor,
but the one who searches for evil will find it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.
29 The one who brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind
and the fool will become a servant to the wise of heart.
30 The righteous person will be like a tree of life,
but violence takes away lives.
31 Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves;
how much more the wicked and the sinner!