Dishonest Scales

1False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him.

2Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

3When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.

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5Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

6The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.

7At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

8A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.

9In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

10In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:

11(11:10A) but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

12A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

13A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.

14They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.

16A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.

17A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

18An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death.

20Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.

21He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.

22As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.

23All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

24There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.

25Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

26May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it.

27He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him.

28He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.

29He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.

30Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

31If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?