1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.

 

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

The word for “pride” comes from the word that suggests boiling up.  It refers to those who must have       everything their way and will not let themselves be “pushed around.”    

          Biblical examples: Pharaoh, the social rebel (Dt. 17:12,13), the false prophet (Dt.18:20),              murderer (Ex.21:14)

 

“Humility” is a rare word that suggests the cooperative spirit that is opposite of arrogant.  It is used in Malachi 6:8 “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their      duplicity.

Integrity will guide you as you try to make choices and decisions in life

4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked      are brought down by their own wickedness.

Righteousness will avoid many of the unnecessary detours of life that cause for a winding, hilly, rocky      road

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by      evil desires.

“Unfaithful” is the word for “renegades” or the “treacherous”.

They are trapped by their own lusts.

7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes     to nothing.

 

8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.

The wicked are caught in their own trap.

This also includes the concept of atonement or exchange.

Pro. 21:18, says, “The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.”  God will deliver the righteous out of a situation by exchanging them for the wicked.

God does this for the redeeming of Israel out of the Babylonian captivity.  He exchanges them for Egypt, Cush and Seba in Isaiah 43:3,4:                                                       “I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.  Since you are precious and                                                         honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people       in exchange for your life.”

9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor,  but through knowledge the     righteous escape.

The godless talk and teach rebellion to God by undermining true values and wisdom.

The righteous man will escape the godless mans talk by having knowledge of righteousness.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are      shouts of joy.

People may want to be wicked in their private lives but they know that their leaders must be righteous       for the community to succeed.

Righteousness in public office is clearly a must for there to be success and prosperity in the community.