Today's verses continue with seemingly random words of wisdom ("admonitions" or "warnings"), one following another with no apparent connection or unifying theme. It's important to remember that Proverbs is not like other books of the Bible: it doesn't introduce us to any historical people, it doesn't tell the story of the Israelite people, and it's not prophecy. In this book are collected sayings that were held as true by the Israelite community; which were then, after a long period of time, finally compiled and written down. See if you can discover a common thread to these verses:

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright saves them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes. When the wicked die, their hope perishes, and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing. The righteous are delivered from trouble, and the wicked get into it instead. With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.  (Prov. 11:1-11).

Today's reading reminds us that in all aspects of daily living we make choices: to live "righteously" or to live "wickedly." To live righteously is to be honest in our business dealings, to care for one another, to speak truthfully to others, to be humble instead of prideful. To live wickedly is to be self-centered, to lift ourselves up while tearing others down, to mislead others so that we might gain. We are also reminded that our life choices have consequences, both in the here and now and for eternity.

Meditation: what can you do to lift someone else up today? Is there someone who you can call, email or text, or write a good old-fashioned letter to, someone who might need an encouraging word? Thinking of others and putting their needs first often causes us to think less of ourselves. It's a good way to begin.