A reading from the book of Proverbs.

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes,

then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness

delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked

falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous

are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. With his mouth,

the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there

are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the

upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his

neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering

reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands and pledge is secure. A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches, a man who is kind benefits himself,

but a cruel man hurts himself. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who souls righteousness

gets a sure reward. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil

will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of

blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of

the righteous will be delivered, like a gold ring and a pig snout, is a beautiful woman without

discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked and wrath.

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