1  ^uA false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is his delight.

2  ^vWhen pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom.

3  ^wThe integrity of the upright guides them,

but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4  ^xRiches do not profit ^yin the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

5  The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,

but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

6  The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

7  When the wicked dies, ^zhis hope will perish,

and the expectation of wealth¹ perishes too.

8  ^aThe righteous is delivered from trouble,

and the wicked walks into it instead.

9  With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10  ^bWhen it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

11  By the blessing of the upright a city is ^cexalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

12  ^dWhoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but ^ea man of understanding remains silent.

13  ^fWhoever goes about ^gslandering reveals secrets,

but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

14  ^hWhere there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

15  Whoever ⁱputs up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,

but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.