Proverbs 8:20, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

”Proverbs 10:28, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.”

Righteousness is not required when climbing the corporate ladder, winning and retaining political office, or for growing a profitable business. Yes, there are Godly people who are involved in business and politics, but one may be a shady character and still succeed in those areas. Righteousness may not be required in order to make money or to make a name for yourself, but if you are concerned with making a life then righteousness is a must. The topics of “righteous” and “righteousness” are regularly used in Proverbs, as seen in today’s two texts, as well as passages like Proverbs 12:3-5, 28. The wise are righteous, but it is important that we understand what righteousness is. The Hebrew words translated “righteous,” “righteousness,” “upright,” and “uprightness” describes a moral conduct and character that comes from a right relationship to the Lord and His Word. WARNING: True righteousness is not just toeing some line and obeying the rules. (There is a big difference between being upright and being uptight!) Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).