< Proverbs 11 >
1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own iniquity.
7 When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
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 upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is secure.
16 A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
They that are of a perverse heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.