1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

1 'n Valse weegskaal is vir die HERE 'n gruwel, maar in 'n volle gewig het Hy behae.

2 Kom die vermetelheid, dan kom die skande, maar by die beskeidenes is wysheid.

3 Die regskapenheid van die opregtes is vir hulle 'n leier, maar die valsheid van die ontroues vernietig hulle.

4 Goed bring geen voordeel op die dag van die grimmigheid nie, maar geregtigheid red van die dood.

5 Die geregtigheid van die regskapene maak sy weg gelyk, maar die goddelose val deur sy goddeloosheid.

6 Die geregtigheid van die opregtes red hulle, maar deur hulle eie begeerlikheid word die ontroues gevang.

7 By die dood van 'n goddelose mens gaan sy hoop tot niet, en die verwagting van die roekelose het vergaan.

8 Word die regverdige uit die benoudheid gered, dan kom die goddelose in sy plek.

9 Deur die mond stort die roekelose sy naaste in die verderf, maar deur kennis word die regverdiges gered.

10 Oor die voorspoed van die regverdiges jubel 'n stad, en as die goddelose omkom, is daar gejubel.

11 Deur die seën van die opregtes kom 'n stad op, maar deur die mond van die goddelose word dit afgebreek.

12 Die verstandelose verag sy naaste, maar 'n verstandige man bly stil.

13 Die wat met kwaadsprekery omgaan, maak 'n geheim openbaar, maar hy wat betroubaar is van gees, bedek 'n saak.

14 As daar nie goeie oorleg is nie, val 'n volk; maar in die veelheid van raadgewers is redding.

15 Baie sleg word iemand behandel as hy vir 'n ander borg gestaan het; maar hy wat haat wie die handslag gee, is veilig.

16 'n Aanvallige vrou verkry eer, en die geweldenaars verkry rykdom.

17 'n Man wat 'n weldaad bewys, doen goed aan sy eie siel, maar 'n wreedaard pynig sy eie vlees.

18 Die goddelose behaal oneerlike wins, maar hy wat geregtigheid saai, 'n betroubare loon.

19 Ware geregtigheid lei tot die lewe, maar hy wat die kwaad najaag, jaag na sy dood.

20 Die wat verkeerd van hart is, is vir die HERE 'n gruwel; maar Hy het behae in die wat regskape van wandel is.

21 Sekerlik, die slegte bly nie ongestraf nie; maar die geslag van regverdiges raak vry.

22 'n Goue ring in 'n vark se snuit, so is 'n vrou wat mooi is maar sonder beleid.

23 Die begeerte van die regverdiges is net ten goede, maar die hoop van die goddelose is 'n strafgerig van toorn.

24 Daar is een wat ruim uitdeel en nog meer kry, en een wat terughou meer as wat reg is, maar tot sy gebrek.

25 Die siel wat seën, word versadig; en hy wat laaf, word self ook gelaaf.

26 Hy wat koring terughou, hom vloek die mense; maar seëning kom op die hoof van hom wat koring verkoop.

27 Wie die goeie nastreef, soek wat welgevallig is; maar hy wat die kwaad soek, oor hom sal dit kom.

28 Wie op sy rykdom vertrou, die sal val; maar die regverdiges sal soos blare uitspruit.

29 Wie sy huis in beroering bring, sal wind erwe, en 'n dwaas word 'n slaaf van hom wat wys van hart is.

30 Die vrug van die regverdige is 'n boom van die lewe, en hy wat siele win, is wys.

31 As die regverdige op aarde vergelding ontvang, hoeveel te meer die goddelose en die sondaar!