Proverbs 11
1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will.
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them.
4 Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.
7 When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.
8 The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.
9 With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.
10 When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
By the blessing of the just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted.
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.
13 A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend.
14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.
15 He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
He will be afflicted with evil, who provides a guarantee for an outsider. But whoever is wary of traps shall be secure.
16 A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth.
17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.
18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.
19 Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.
21 Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
Hand in hand, the evil shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.
23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury.
24 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.
25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself.
26 The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.
27 He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.
29 He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!
