5
The righteousness of the blameless
1keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6
2The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous
3are taken captive by their lust.
7
When the wicked dies, his
4hope will perish, and
5the expectation of wealth perishes too.
8
6The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.
9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10
7When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but
8by the mouth of the wicked
9it is overthrown.
12
Whoever
10belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13
Whoever
11goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14
Where there is
12no guidance, a people falls,
13but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15
14Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.