Proverbs 11
1 A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.
The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.
2 Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.
With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
4 Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.
Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.
5 The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.
The goodness of the innocent keeps them on track, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.
The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.
7 When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.
When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
8 The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.
The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.
9 The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.
Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.
10 When it goeth well with the just the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish there shall be praise.
The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.
11 By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.
Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.
12 He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.
People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.
13 He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.
14 Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.
A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.
15 He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of the snares, shall be secure.
You'll get into trouble if you guarantee a stranger's loans—you're far safer if you refuse to make such pledges.
16 A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.
A gracious woman holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.
17 A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.
If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.
18 The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
19 Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.
Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.
20 A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.
The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.
21 Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.
You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.
22 A golden ring in a swine’s snout, a woman fair and foolish.
A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23 The desire of the just is all good: the expectation of the wicked is indignation.
Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.
24 Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.
25 The soul which blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.
26 He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.
People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.
27 Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things shall be oppressed by them.
If you look to do good, you'll be appreciated; but if you look for evil, you'll find it!
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.
If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.
29 He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.
If you cause trouble in your family, you'll inherit nothing but air. Stupid people end up as servants to those who think wisely.
30 The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls, is wise.
The fruit of the good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.
31 If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.
If the good are repaid here on earth, how much more will the wicked who sin be repaid!
