Proverbs

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. ¹¹By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God's favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. ¹²He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.