King James Version KJV
New King James Version NKJV
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
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Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
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When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
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The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
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Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
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The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
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The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
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When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
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The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
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The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
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When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
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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.
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He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
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A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
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Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
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He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
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A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
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The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
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The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
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As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues 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.
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Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
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Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
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As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
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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.
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There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
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The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
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The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
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He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
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He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
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He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will 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.
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The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
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If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.