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1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him. 2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.* 3 †When a just man dies he ‡leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy. 5 Righteousness §traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. 7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes. 8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. 9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. 10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:** 11 but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown.
12 A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet. 13 A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is ††faithful in spirit conceals matters. 14 They that have no ‡‡guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety. 16 A 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. 17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth. 19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death. 20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him. 21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness shall receive a faithful reward. 22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded woman. 23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
24 There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.††† 25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful. 26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it. 27 He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him. 28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.‡‡‡ 29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man. 30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time. 31 §§§If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
* 11:2 See Appendix. † 11:3 the Alexandrine text reads: “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them.” ‡ 11:3 Comp. Heb. § 11:5 Gr. right divides. ** 11:10 See Appendix which gives the Alexandrine text as: “[note - Part of verse 10.]— but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation.” †† 11:13 See chap 20. 27. ‡‡ 11:14 Or, governance. §§ 11:16 Gr. raises. *** 11:16 Gr. manly. ††† 11:24 Gr. diminished. ‡‡‡ 11:28 See 1 Tim. 5. 8. §§§ 11:31 See 1 Pet.