¹ Balances of deceit are an abomination of Yahweh, but ⌞an accurate weight⌟¹ delights him.

1. Literally “a full stone” or “a pure stone”

² Pride comes, then disgrace comes, but wisdom is with the humble.

³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

⁴ Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death.

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless will keep his ways straight, but the wicked will fall by his wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright will save them, but by a scheme the treacherous will be taken captive.

⁷ With the death of a wicked person, hope will die, and the expectation of the godless perishes.

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked enters into it.

⁹ With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

¹⁰ When good is with the righteous, the city rejoices, and with the perishing of the wicked, jubilation.

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright, a city will be exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked, it will be overthrown.

¹² He who lacks ⌞sense⌟¹ belittles his neighbor, but a person of intelligence will remain silent.

1. Literally “heart”

¹³ A gossip walks about telling a secret, but the trustworthy in spirit keeps the matter.

¹⁴ Where there is no guidance, a nation¹ shall fall, but there is safety in an abundance of counsel.

1. Or “people”

¹⁵ He will suffer trouble when he loans to a stranger, but he who refuses a pledge is safe.

¹⁶ A woman of grace receives honor, but the ruthless gets wealth.

¹⁷ A person of kindness rewards himself,¹ but a cruel person harms his own flesh.

1. Or “soul,” or “inner self”

¹⁸ The wicked earns¹ ⌞deceptive gain⌟,² but he who sows righteousness, a ⌞true reward⌟.³

1. Or “does, makes”
2. Literally “gain of deception”
3. Literally “a reward of truth”

¹⁹ He who is steadfast in righteousness is to life as¹ he who pursues evil is to death.

1. Hebrew “and”

²⁰ An abomination of Yahweh are the ⌞crooked of heart⌟,¹ but his delight are ⌞those with blameless ways⌟.²

1. Literally “crooked ones of heart”; “heart” may also be translated “mind”
2. Literally “blameless ones of ways”

²¹ ⌞Rest assured⌟,¹ the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring² of the righteous will escape.

1. Literally “Hand to hand”
2. Or “seed”

²² A ring of gold in the snout of a pig is a woman who is beautiful but without discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked, wrath.

²⁴ There is one who gives yet ⌞grows richer⌟,¹ but he who withholds ⌞what is right⌟² only finds need.

1. Literally “adding more”
2. Literally “from what is right”

²⁵ A person of blessing will be enriched, and he who gives water also will be refreshed.

²⁶ He who withholds grain, the people curse him, but a blessing is for the head of him who sells.

²⁷ He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.

²⁸ He who trusts in his wealth is he who will fall, but like a green leaf the righteous will flourish.

²⁹ He who brings trouble to his household, he will inherit wind,¹ and a fool will serve the wise of heart.

1. Or “breath, spirit”

³⁰ The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who captures souls¹ is wise.

1. Or “persons,” or “inner selves”

³¹ If the righteous on earth will be repaid, ⌞how much more⌟¹ the wicked and sinner.

1. Literally “more for”