Proverbs 11
1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4 [Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 [At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16 A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonor. The slothful come to lack: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.
A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24 There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27 He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favor: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
