1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him. 2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom. * See Appendix 3  † the Alexandrine text reads: “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them.” When a just man dies he ‡ Comp. Heb. leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy. 4  § there is no verse 4. The Alexandrine text has this. Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. 5 Righteousness ** Gr. right divides. traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing. 6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. 7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes. 8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. 9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. 10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: †† See Appendix which gives the Alexandrine text as: “[note - Part of verse 10.]— but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation.” but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown. 11  ‡‡ there is no verse 11, but the Alexandrine text reads. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. 12 A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet. 13 A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is §§ See chap 20:27. faithful in spirit conceals matters. 14 They that have no *** Or, governance. guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety. 15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety. 16 A gracious wife ††† Gr. raises. brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to lack: but the ‡‡‡ Gr. manly. diligent support themselves with wealth. 17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body. 18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth. 19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death. 20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him. 21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward. 22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded woman. 23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish. 24 There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less. §§§ Gr. diminished. 25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful. 26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it. 27 He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him. 28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise. * See 1 Tim 5:8. 29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man. 30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time. 31  † See 1 Pet. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?