Proverbs

⁴Riches provide no security in any day of wrath and judgment, but righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) delivers from death. [Prov. 10:2; Zeph. 1:18.] ⁵The righteousness of the blameless shall rectify and make plain their way and keep it straight, but the wicked shall fall by their own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity and greedy desire. ⁷When the wicked man dies, his hope [for the future] perishes; and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing. ⁸The [uncompromisingly] righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead. ⁹With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered. ¹⁰When it goes well with the [uncompromisingly] righteous, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.