Proverbs 11
1 A FALSE balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbour, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
One who despises his neighbour is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counsellors there is victory.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
A gracious woman obtains honour, but violent men obtain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
He who diligently seeks good seeks favour, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
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 righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
