A False Balance is an Abomination

1A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.

2Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.

3The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.

4Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.

5The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

6The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.

7When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.

8The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.

9The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.

10When it goeth well with the just the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish there shall be praise.

11By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.

12He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.

13He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.

14Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.

15He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of the snares, shall be secure.

16A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.

17A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.

18The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.

19Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.

20A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.

21Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.

22A golden ring in a swine's snout, a woman fair and foolish.

23The desire of the just is all good: the expectation of the wicked is indignation.

24Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.

25The soul which blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

26He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.

27Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things shall be oppressed by them.

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.

29He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.

30The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls, is wise.

31If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.