Proverbs Monthly

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,^(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.^(B)

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,^(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.^(D)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.^(E)

⁴ Wealth^(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,^(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(H)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(J)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.^(K)

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;^(L)
    all the promise of^[a] their power comes to nothing.^(M)

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.^(N)

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.^(O)

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;^(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.^(Q)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(S)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,^(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.^(U)

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,^(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.^(W)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,^(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.^(Y)

¹⁵ Whoever puts up security^(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.^(AA)

¹⁶ A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(AB)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷ Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.^(AC)

¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life,^(AD)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.^(AE)

²⁰ The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,^(AF)
    but he delights^(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.^(AH)

²¹ Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.^(AI)

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

²⁴ One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵ A generous^(AJ) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.^(AK)

²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

²⁷ Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.^(AL)

²⁸ Those who trust in their riches will fall,^(AM)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.^(AN)

²⁹ Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.^(AO)

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,^(AP)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

³¹ If the righteous receive their due^(AQ) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!