1 The LORD hates it when people use scales to cheat others.
But he is delighted when people use honest weights.
2 When pride comes, shame follows.
But wisdom comes to those who are not proud.
3 Those who do what is right are guided by their honest lives.
But those who aren’t faithful are destroyed by their lies.
4 Wealth isn’t worth anything when God judges you.
But doing what is right saves you from death.
5 The ways of honest people are made straight because they do what is right.
But those who do what is wrong are brought down by their own sins.
6 Godly people are saved by doing what is right.
But those who aren’t faithful are trapped by evil longings.
7 Hopes placed in human beings will die with them.
Everything their power promised comes to nothing.
8 Those who do right are saved from trouble.
But trouble comes on those who do wrong.
9 With their words ungodly people destroy their neighbors.
But those who do what is right escape because of their knowledge.
10 When those who do right succeed, their city is glad.
When those who do wrong die, people shout for joy.
11 The blessing of honest people builds up a city.
But the words of sinners destroy it.
12 Whoever makes fun of their neighbor has no sense.
But the one who has understanding controls their tongue.
13 Those who talk about others will tell secrets.
But those who can be trusted keep the secrets of others.
14 Without guidance a nation falls.
But many good advisers can bring victory to a nation.
15 Whoever promises to pay for what someone else owes will certainly suffer.
But a person who doesn’t agree to pay someone else’s bill is safe.
16 A woman who has a kind heart gains honor.
But men who are not kind gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves.
But mean people bring ruin on themselves.
18 An evil person really earns nothing.
But the one who plants what is right will certainly be rewarded.
19 Surely right living leads to life.
But whoever runs after evil finds death.
20 The LORD hates those whose hearts are twisted.
But he is pleased with those who live without blame.
21 You can be sure that sinners will be punished.
And you can also be sure that godly people will go free.
22 A beautiful woman who has no sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose.
23 What godly people long for ends only in what is good.
But what sinners hope for ends only in God’s anger.
24 One person gives freely but gets even richer.
Another person doesn’t give what they should but gets even poorer.
25 Anyone who gives a lot will succeed.
Anyone who renews others will be renewed.
26 People ask for bad things to happen to those who store up grain for themselves.
But people ask for God’s blessing on those who are willing to sell.
27 Anyone who looks for what is good will be blessed.
But bad things will happen to a person who plans to do evil.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall.
But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf.
29 Those who bring ruin on their families will receive nothing but wind.
And foolish people will serve wise people.
30 The fruit that godly people bear is like a tree of life.
And those who are wise save lives.
31 Godly people get what they should get on earth.
So ungodly people and sinners will certainly get what they should get!
(NIRV) Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Click here for more copyright information.