1. A FALSE balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. [Lev. 19:35, 36; Prov. 16:11.]
2. When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.
3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4. Riches provide no security in any day of wrath and judgment, but righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) delivers from death. [Prov. 10:2; Zeph. 1:18.]
5. The righteousness of the blameless shall rectify and make plain their way and keep it straight, but the wicked shall fall by their own wickedness.
6. The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity and greedy desire.
7. When the wicked man dies, his hope [for the future] perishes; and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.
8. The [uncompromisingly] righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead.
9. With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered.
10. When it goes well with the [uncompromisingly] righteous, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11. By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God's favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12. He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.