A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.
13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.
15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
16 A gracious woman attains honor, and ruthless men attain riches.
17 The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
25 The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.
31 If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.
13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.
15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
16 A gracious woman attains honor, and ruthless men attain riches.
17 The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
25 The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.
31 If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
It is God's will:
- that we wisely remain quiet when we cannot say anything in God's love (11:12)
- that we use discretion and do not necessarily disclose issues to others, especially if it is regarding someone else's struggles (11:13)
- that we seek out wise counsel in order to make tough decisions (11:14)
- that we do not withhold, especially money due, and that we even give generously (11:24-26)
- that we desire only good things and desire to do good things (11:23)
- that we diligently seek good (11:27)
- that we are wise and fruitful in order to win souls and enrich the lives of others (11:30)
Today's prayer:
Dear Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, thank You again for giving us detailed examples of how to live righteously, and how to live and pray in Your will. Thank You for Your righteousness that You give us when we are saved. Help us to live accordingly, in Your love and strength, in order to be an effective witness for You, as well as to be someone who enriches the lives of others.
Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and Your goodness, so that we can recognize what is good here on earth. Bring wise people into our lives who will help guide us with discretion. Guide me in wisdom so that I can give sound advice to myself and others. Guard my tongue so I can be a discrete and trustworthy counselor to others.
Thank You for blessing the work of our hands when we diligently try to bring honor to You. The fruit from that may not be earthly riches, but You always make sure we have what we need, and You faithfully and generously bless us with Your strength, contentment and joy. Inspire and guide me to generously give back with my finances, as well as my talents, time and energy, so as to effectively inspire and encourage others. Amen.
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