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11 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·dishonest [fraudulent] scales,
but he is pleased with ·honest [accurate] weights [16:11; Lev. 19:35–37; Deut. 25:13–15; Ezek. 45:10; Hos. 12:7–8].

·Pride [Insolence] leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.

·Good people [People with integrity] will be guided by ·honesty [innocence];
dishonesty will ·destroy [devastate] those who are not trustworthy.

Riches will not help ·when it’s time to die [L on the day of anger],
but ·right living [righteousness] will save you from death.

The ·goodness [righteousness] of the innocent makes ·life easier [L their path straight],
but the wicked will ·be destroyed [L fall] by their wickedness.

·Doing right [Righteousness] brings freedom to ·honest people [people with integrity],
but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.

When the wicked die, hope ·dies with them [perishes];
their hope in riches ·will come to nothing [perishes].

The ·good [righteous] person is saved from ·trouble [distress];
it comes to the wicked instead.

With ·words [L their mouth] an ·evil [godless] person can destroy a neighbor,
but a ·good [righteous] person will escape by ·being resourceful [L their knowledge].

10 When ·good [righteous] people ·succeed [flourish], the city is happy.
When evil people ·die [perish], there are shouts of joy.

11 ·Good [Righteous] people bless and build up their city,
but the wicked can ·destroy [demolish] it with their ·words [L mouth].

12 People ·without good sense [who lack sense/heart] ·find fault with [despise; belittle] their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.

13 Gossips ·can’t keep [L go/walk around revealing] secrets,
but a trustworthy person ·can [keeps a confidence; L covers up a word].

14 Without ·leadership [guidance] a ·nation [people] falls,
but ·lots of good advice [L an abundance of counselors] will ·save it [bring victory; Eccl. 9:13–15].

15 Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.

16 A ·kind [gracious] woman gets ·respect [honor],
but ·cruel [violent] men get only wealth.

17 ·Kind [or Loyal] people ·do themselves a favor [benefit themselves],
but cruel people ·bring trouble on themselves [L harm their own bodies].

18 An evil person ·really earns nothing [gets false/deceptive wages],
but a ·good [righteous] person will surely be rewarded.

19 Those who are ·truly good [righteous] will live,
but those who chase after evil will die.

20 The Lord ·hates [detests] those with ·evil [crooked] hearts
but is pleased with those who are innocent on the path.

21 Evil people will certainly be punished,
but ·those who do right [L the children of the righteous] will be set free.

22 A beautiful woman without ·good sense [discretion]
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

23 Those who do right only wish for good,
but the wicked can ·expect to be defeated by God’s [L hope only for] anger.

24 Some people give much but get back even more.
    Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.
25 Whoever ·gives to others will get richer [or blesses others will be refreshed];
    those who ·help [satisfy] others will themselves be ·helped [satisfied].

26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.

27 Whoever looks for good will find ·kindness [favor],
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.

28 Those who trust in riches will ·be ruined [L fall],
but a good person will ·be healthy [flourish] like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
    will ·be left with nothing but the [L inherit the] wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.

30 ·A good person gives life to others [L The fruit of the righteous is the tree of life];
the wise person ·teaches others how to live [gathers lives/souls].

31 If ·good [righteous] people will get their due on earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinners.

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