Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked 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 righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes.
When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his position.
The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.
12 He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace.
People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.
13 A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.
15 He that is guarantor for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hates standing for surety is sure.
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 retains honour: and strong men retain riches.
A gracious woman holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.
17 The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.
If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.
18 The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
19 As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.
20 They that are of a perverse heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.
24 There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered 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 withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.
People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.
27 He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him.
If you look to do good, you'll be appreciated; but if you look for evil, you'll find it!
28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.
29 He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
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 righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.
The fruit of the good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: 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!
