The Value of Righteousness

1The LORD hates false scales,

but he delights in accurate weights.

2When pride appears, disgrace accompanies it,

but humility is present with wisdom.

3The integrity of the righteous guides them,

but the hypocrisy of the treacherous destroys them.

4Wealth won’t help in the time of judgment,a

but righteousness will deliver from death.

5The righteousness of the innocent creates a level path,

but the wicked fall by their wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but the treacherous are trapped by their evil desires.

7When a wicked person dies, his hope vanishes;b

and what hec expected from his scheming comes to nothing.

8The righteous person is delivered from trouble;

it comes upon the wicked instead.

9By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor,

but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10The city rejoices when the righteous prosper,

and when the wicked perish there is jubilation.

11Through the blessing of the righteous a city is built up,

but what the wicked say tears it down.

12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but the discerning man controls his comments.

13Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets,

but the trustworthy persond keeps a confidence.

14A nation falls through a lack of guidance,

but victory comes through the counsel of many.e

15Securing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering,

but by refusing to do so, one remains safe.

16A gracious woman attains honor,f

butg ruthless men attainh wealth.

17A gracious man benefits himself,

but the cruel person damages himself.

18Evil people earn deceptive wages,

but those who plant righteousness are truly rewarded.

19Genuine righteousness leads to life,

but whoever pursues evil will die.

20Devious minds are abhorrent to the LORD,

but those whose ways are innocent are his delight.

21Be sure of this:i the wicked will not go unpunished,

but the descendants of the righteous will go free.

22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman without discretion.

23The desire of the righteous is to seek good,

but the hope of the wicked results in wrath.

24Those who give freely gain even more;

others hold back what they owe, becoming even poorer.

25A generous person will prosper,

and anyone who gives water will receive a flood in return.

26People will curse whoever withholds grain,

but blessing will come to whoever is selling.

27The person seeking good will find favor,

but anyone who searches for evil—it will find him!

28The person who trusts in his wealth will fall,

but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

29Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,

and the fool will be a servant to the wise.

30The fruit of the righteous isj a tree of life,

and the one who wins people is wise.k

31If the righteous receive what they are due here on earth,

how much more will the wicked and the sinner.