Proverbs

11 Dishonest* scales are detestable to Jehovah,

But an accurate weight* brings pleasure to him.+

 2 When presumptuousness comes, dishonor will follow,+

But wisdom is with the modest ones.+

 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,+

But the trustworthy person* keeps a confidence.*

14 When there is no skillful direction,* the people fall,

But there is success* through many advisers.*+

15 Whoever guarantees a loan* for a stranger is sure to fare badly,+

But whoever avoids* shaking hands in a pledge will be secure.

16 A gracious* woman acquires glory,+

But ruthless men seize riches.

17 A kind man* benefits himself,*+

But the cruel person brings trouble* on himself.+

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.+

25 The generous person* will prosper,*+

And whoever refreshes* others will himself be refreshed.+

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.+

28 The one trusting in his riches will fall,+

But the righteous will flourish like the foliage.+

29 Anyone who brings trouble* on his household will inherit the wind,+

And the fool will be a servant to the wisehearted one.

30 The fruitage of the righteous one is a tree of life,+

And the one who wins souls* is wise.+

31 If, indeed, the righteous one on earth is rewarded,

How much more the wicked one and the sinner!+