Proverbs 11
1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him.
The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.
2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
With pride comes disgrace, 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.
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
4 [Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.
5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
The goodness of the innocent keeps them on track, 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 goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest 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 a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.
9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.
10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.
11 [At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.
12 A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.
13 A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.
14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.
15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
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 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 holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.
17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.
18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.
20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.
21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.
22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.
24 There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.
25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.
26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.
27 He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favor: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake 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 wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.
29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
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 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 good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.
31 If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If the good are repaid here on earth, how much more will the wicked who sin be repaid!
