Proverbs
3 The integrity of the upright is what guides them,+
But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them.+
4 Wealth* will be of no benefit on the day of fury,+
But righteousness is what will rescue from death.+
5 The righteousness of the blameless one makes his path straight,
But the wicked one will fall because of his own wickedness.+
6 The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,+
But the treacherous will be caught by their own desires.+
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;
And expectations based on his power also perish.+
8 The righteous one is rescued from distress,
And the wicked one takes his place.+
9 By his mouth the apostate* brings his neighbor to ruin,
But by knowledge the righteous are rescued.+
10 The goodness of the righteous makes a city rejoice,
And when the wicked perish, there is a joyful cry.+
11 Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,+
But the mouth of the wicked tears it down.+
12 Whoever is lacking good sense* shows contempt for* his neighbor,
But the man of true discernment remains silent.+
13 A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk,+
14 When there is no skillful direction,* the people fall,
15 Whoever guarantees a loan* for a stranger is sure to fare badly,+
But whoever avoids* shaking hands in a pledge will be secure.
18 The wicked one earns deceptive wages,+
But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward.+
19 The one standing firmly for righteousness is in line for life,+
But the one chasing after evil is in line for death.
20 Those crooked at heart are detestable to Jehovah,+
But those whose way is blameless bring pleasure to him.+
21 Be assured of this:* An evil person will not go unpunished,+
But the children of the righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig
Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous leads to good,+
But what the wicked hope for leads to fury.
24 One gives generously* and ends up with more;+
Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty.+
26 The people will curse the one who withholds grain,
But they will bless the one who sells it.
27 The one who diligently seeks to do good seeks favor,+
But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him.+