11 Yahweh hates dishonest scales,

^ but he delights in an accurate weight

2 When presumption comes, shame follows,

^ but modesty is followed by wisdom.

3 Godly people will be guarded by their integrity,

^ but treacherous people will be destroyed by their deceit.

4 Wealth doesn’t help in the day of rage,

^ but doing what’s right will rescue you from death.

5 When an innocent person does what’s right things go straightforwardly,

^ but the wicked person will fall due to their own wickedness.

6 The godliness of good people will rescue them,

^ but treacherous people will be caught out by their own schemes.

7 When the wicked person dies, all hope is lost,

≈ and the expectation of strength disappears.

8 The godly person is rescued from trouble,

^ but the wicked person gets it instead.

9 A godless person destroys his neighbour with his mouth,

^ but the godly will be rescued by knowledge.

10 When the godly do well, the city celebrates,

^ and when the wicked perish, there’s a cheerful shout.

11 A blessing from the upright people helps to elevate a city,

^ but it gets torn down by the mouth of the wicked.

12 A person who despises their neighbour lacks good morals,

^ but a person with understanding will stay quiet.

13 A gossip goes around revealing secrets,

^ but a trustworthy person keeps things private.

14 When there are no directions, a nation falls,

^ but there’s safety in having lots of advisers.

15 You’ll end up getting burnt if you guarantee a stranger’s loan,

^ but avoiding shaking on deals will lead to security.

16 A woman who displays grace to others will obtain honour,

^ but ruthless people seize wealth.

17 People who display loyal commitment benefit themselves,

^ but cruel people harm their own selves.

18 A wicked person can make a living from telling lies,

^ but someone who sows goodness gets a genuine wage.

19 True goodness leads to life,

^ but those who chase after evil, receive death.

20 Yahweh hates those with perverse motives,

^ but he appreciates those who choose blameless ways.

21 Most certainly, an evil person won’t go unpunished,

^ but the descendants of a godly person will be rescued.

22 A beautiful woman without discretion

→ is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose.

23 Godly people long for good things,

^ but wicked people can only expect to receive fury.

24 Someone who helps generously, gains even more,

^ but those who without what’s due, end up poor.

25 A person who blesses will prosper,

≈ and those who give water, will also be satisfied.

26 People will curse the person who hoards up grain,

^ but the one who sells it will be blessed by them.

27 Anyone who strives diligently, strives for favour,

^ but if you strive for evil, it’ll come to you.

28 Anyone who trusts in their riches will fall,

^ but godly people will thrive like green leaves.

29 Those who cause trouble for their households will inherit the wind,

≈ and the fool will become a slave to those with sensible values.

30 The fruit of doing what’s right is a tree of life,

≈ and those who win people over are wise.

31 Listen, anyone who does what’s right will be rewarded appropriately,

so how more so the wicked and disobedient person!