11 The Lord hates dishonest scales.
But he is pleased with correct weights.
2 Pride leads only to shame.
It is wise not to be proud.
3 Good people will be guided by honesty.
But dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.
4 Riches will not help when it’s time to die.
But doing what is right will save you from dying too soon.
5 The goodness of an innocent person makes his life easier.
But a wicked person will be destroyed by his wickedness.
6 Doing what is right brings freedom to honest people.
But those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7 When a wicked person dies, his hope is gone.
The hopes he placed in his riches will come to nothing.
8 The good man is saved from trouble.
It comes to the wicked instead.
9 By his words an evil person can destroy his neighbor.
But a good person will escape by being smart.
10 When good people succeed, the city is happy.
When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.
11 The influence of good people makes a city great.
But the wicked can destroy it with their words.
12 A person without good sense finds fault with his neighbor.
But a person with understanding keeps quiet.
13 A person who gossips can’t keep secrets.
But a trustworthy person can keep a secret.
14 Without leadership a nation will be defeated.
But when many people give advice, it will be safe.
15 Whoever guarantees to pay what somebody else owes will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16 A kind woman is respected.
But cruel men get wealth.
17 A kind person is doing himself a favor.
But a cruel person brings trouble on himself.
18 An evil person really gains nothing from what he earns.
But a good person will surely be rewarded.
19 Those who are truly good will live.
But those who chase after evil will die.
20 The Lord hates those with evil hearts.
But he is pleased with those who are innocent.
21 You can be sure that evil people will be punished.
But those who do what is right will not be punished.
22 A beautiful woman without good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 The wishes of those who do right will come true.
But the hopes of the wicked will be defeated by God’s anger.
24 Some people give much but get back even more.
But others don’t give what they should, and they end up poor.
25 A person who gives to others will get richer.
Whoever helps others will himself be helped.
26 People curse someone who keeps all the grain for himself.
But they bless a person who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness.
But whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined.
But a good person will be as healthy as a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family will be left with nothing but the wind.
And a foolish person will become a servant to the wise.
30 As a tree makes fruit, a good person gives life to others.
The wise person shows others how to be wise.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth.
So the wicked and the sinners will also be punished.