11
The Value of Righteousness
1 Dishonest scales are disgusting to the Lord,
but accurate weights are pleasing to him.
2 Arrogance comes,
then comes shame,
but wisdom remains with humble people.
3 Integrity guides decent people,
but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin.
4 Riches are of no help on the day of fury,
but righteousness saves from death.
5 The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth,
but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.
6 Decent people are saved by their righteousness,
but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed.
7 At the death of a wicked person, hope vanishes.
Moreover, his confidence in strength vanishes.
8 A righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and a wicked person takes his place.
9 With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor,
but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.
10 When righteous people prosper, a city is glad.
When wicked people die, there are songs of joy.
11 With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up,
but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down.
12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense,
but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.
13 Whoever gossips gives away secrets,
but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.
14 A nation will fall when there is no direction,
but with many advisers there is victory.
15 Whoever guarantees a stranger’s loan will get into trouble,
but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure.
16 A gracious woman wins respect,
but ruthless men gain riches.
17 A merciful person helps himself,
but a cruel person hurts himself.
18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages,
but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.
19 As righteousness leads to life,
so whoever pursues evil finds his own death.
20 Devious people are disgusting to the Lord,
but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent.
21 Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished,
but the descendants of righteous people will escape.
22 ⌞Like⌟ a gold ring in a pig’s snout,
⌞so⌟ is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste.
23 The desire of righteous people ends only in good,
but the hope of wicked people ends only in fury.
24 One person spends freely and yet grows richer,
while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.
25 A generous person will be made rich,
and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.*
26 People will curse the one who hoards grain,
but a blessing will be upon the head of the one who sells it.
27 Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will,
but whoever looks for evil finds it.
28 Whoever trusts his riches will fall,
but righteous people will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble upon his family inherits ⌞only⌟ wind,
and that stubborn fool becomes a slave to the wise in heart.
30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life,
and a winner of souls is wise.
31 If the righteous person is rewarded on earth,
how much more the wicked person and the sinner!
* 11:25 Or “and whoever gives someone a drink will also get a drink.”