Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. The wise inherit honor, but fools He holds up to shame.
   Can't you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every fork in the road, and at the door of every house. Listen to what she says: "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My paths are those of justice and right." Wisdom is its own reward, and if you scorn her, you hurt only yourself.
   Illgotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
   The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
   The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
   The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
   Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

Taken from Pr. 10, 11, 3, 8, The New International Version and The Living Bible.
For free Lifescope book, write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221.
Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.