Translation: ESV
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.
Honesty in economic activity pleases God, while dishonesty is something God hates.
▸Honesty in commerce pleases the LORD.
Honesty in commerce pleases the LORD. A false balance is the act of sacrificing honesty for profit, and it is something God hates. God's moral standards apply even in economic activity. This teaches that faith and everyday economic activity cannot be separated.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Pride brings disgrace and humility brings wisdom. Knowing oneself rightly is the beginning of wisdom.
▸Pride is connected to disgrace, and humility is connected to wisdom.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
A community that listens to wise counselors prospers; one that does not will fall.
▸This emphasizes the importance not of individual wisdom but of communal wisdom and counsel.
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
There is a paradoxical economic principle of God's kingdom: the one who gives freely becomes richer, and the one who withholds too tightly only grows poorer.
▸This is the paradox of generosity.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
The life of the righteous is like a tree of life that gives life and benefit to others, a good influence.
▸This is a beautiful metaphor that the life of the righteous becomes a tree of life for others, giving life and refuge.