Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
4 Riches do not profit 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 blameless will 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 the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
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, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
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. 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 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.
13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.
14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.
15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
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 obtains honor, but she who hates virtue makes a throne for dishonor. The slothful become destitute, and ruthless men grab wealth.
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 who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.
18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
19 He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.
20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.
21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks 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. 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 one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains 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. He who 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 People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
If you look to do good, you'll be appreciated; but if you look for evil, you'll find it!
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.
29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish 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 who plucks that life is wise.
The fruit of the good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.
31 If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If the good are repaid here on earth, how much more will the wicked who sin be repaid!
