What the Proverbs Say about Righteousness and Wickedness

Another installment of my series on What the Proverbs Say…

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you… Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. 2:1,9-15
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 25:21-22
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 16:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 21:3
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. 22:11
So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it. 2:20-22
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. 21:21
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. 4:25-27
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 4:23
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. 11:30
Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making. 16:11
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. 16:17
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. 20:7
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 24:11
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 24:26
Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. 25:13
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. 27:18

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 4:14-17
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 31:30-31
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 3:33
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 4:18-19
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 10:3
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 10:6
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. 10:7
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. 10:9
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 10:11
The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. 10:16
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 10:20
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. 10:23
What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. 10:24
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. 10:25
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 10:27
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. 10:28
The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. 10:29
The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. 10:30
From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced. 10:31
The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. 10:32
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 11:3
The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 11:5
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. 11:6
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 11:9
The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. 11:8
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11:10
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 11:11
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 11:17
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 11:18
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. 11:19
The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. 11:20
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. 11:21
The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. 11:23
Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. 11:27
Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. 12:2
No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. 12:3
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 12:5
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. 12:7
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 12:10
The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. 12:12
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. 12:20
No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 12:21
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 12:26
In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. 12:28
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. 13:5
Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 13:6
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. 13:9
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. 13:15
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 13:17
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. 13:19
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. 13:21
The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. 13:25
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. 14:2
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. 14:9
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 14:11
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. 14:12
The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. 14:14
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. 14:22
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. 14:32
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. 14:34
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 15:3
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 15:8
The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. 15:9
The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. 15:26
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. 15:28
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 15:29
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. 16:6
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. 16:8
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 18:10
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. 19:1
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 19:16
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 21:8
The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. 21:29
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 28:1
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. 28:4
Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. 28:5
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. 28:10
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 28:13
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. 28:14
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. 28:18
Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. 29:6
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. 29:7

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 31:10-29

Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. 1:29-31
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. 3:25-26
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 9:7
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. 1:10-19
The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. 15:27
Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. 27:20
Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 3:29
Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. 3:31-32
A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. 6:12-15
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly. 5:22-23
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. 10:2
Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. 10:10
Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. 11:7
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! 11:31
A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. 14:17
Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 14:19
Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. 15:10
Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord— how much more do human hearts! 15:11
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 16:2
The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. 16:4
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. 16:25
A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. 16:27
A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. 16:29
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. 16:30
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 17:3
A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. 17:4
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. 17:8
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. 17:11
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. 17:13
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. 17:20
When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 18:3
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. 19:19
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? 20:9
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. 20:27
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. 21:2
The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. 21:7
The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 21:10
The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 21:12
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. 21:18
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent! 21:27
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 21:30
In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 22:5
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 22:12
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 23:17-18
Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer. 24:8
The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker. 24:9
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! 24:10
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? 24:12
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead? 24:28
Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. 24:1-2
Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. 24:15-16
Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. 24:19-20
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. 25:18
Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. 25:19
Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue — which provokes a horrified look. 25:23
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. 25:26
Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. 26:23
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 26:24-26
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. 26:27-28
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. 27:6
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. 27:21
Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. 28:17
The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. 29:10
The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 29:13
When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. 29:16
The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify. 29:24
The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright. 29:27
“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” 30:32-33