Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD; but a perfect weight is His delight.
False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.
When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
[Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
5 The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; but the faithless shall be trapped in their own crafty device.
The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of strength perisheth.
At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
9 With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is joy.
In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
[At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
12 He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment holdeth his peace.
A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
13 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
14 Where no wise direction is, a people falleth; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth them that strike hands is secure.
A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
16 A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches.
A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
19 Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life; but he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD; but such as are upright in their way are His delight.
Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
21 My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.
He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman that turneth aside from discretion.
As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
25 The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.
Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.
He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favour: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as foliage.
He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.
Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
