Proverbs 11
1 A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will.
A false balance is an abomination to YHWH, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7 When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9 The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10 In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted.
By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.
One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend.
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14 Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
15 He will be afflicted with evil, who provides a guarantee for an outsider. But whoever is wary of traps shall be secure.
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16 A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth.
A gracious woman obtains honor, but she who hates virtue makes a throne for dishonor. The slothful become destitute, and ruthless men grab wealth.
17 A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20 A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to YHWH, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21 Hand in hand, the evil shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved.
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
22 A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury.
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26 Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who plucks that life is wise.
31 If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!
If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?
