¹ A false balance is abomination to the LORD:

but a just weight is his delight.

² When pride cometh,

then cometh shame:

but with the lowly is wisdom.

³ The integrity of the upright shall guide them:

but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

⁴ Riches profit not in the day of wrath:

but righteousness delivereth from death.

⁵ The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:

but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:

but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

⁷ When a wicked man dieth,

his expectation shall perish:

and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

⁸ The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

and the wicked cometh in his stead.

⁹ An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:

but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

¹⁰ When it goeth well with the righteous,

the city rejoiceth:

and when the wicked perish,

there is shouting.

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¹² He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:

but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

¹³ A talebearer revealeth secrets:

but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

¹⁴ Where no counsel is,

the people fall:

but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

¹⁵ He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it:

and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

¹⁶ A gracious woman retaineth honour:

and strong men retain riches.

¹⁷ The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:

but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

¹⁸ The wicked worketh a deceitful work:

but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

¹⁹ As righteousness tendeth to life:

so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

²⁰ They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD:

but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

²¹ Though hand join in hand,

the wicked shall not be unpunished:

but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

²² As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous is only good:

but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

²⁴ There is that scattereth,

and yet increaseth;

and there is that withholdeth more than is meet,

but it tendeth to poverty.

²⁵ The liberal soul shall be made fat:

and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

²⁶ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him:

but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

²⁷ He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour:

but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

²⁸ He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

²⁹ He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:

and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;

and he that winneth souls is wise.

³¹ Behold,

the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

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