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 neighbor, 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 neighbor 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 counsellors [there is] safety.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors 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 honor, 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 favor, 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!
