Proverbs 11
1 False scales are an abomination to the LORD; But a perfect weight is his delight.
Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate, but he delights in a precise weight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh disgrace; But with the humble is wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, 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 guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.
Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, but doing right keeps you from death.
5 The righteousness of the good man maketh his way plain; But the wicked falleth through his wickedness.
The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight, but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; But transgressors are ensnared in their own mischief.
The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.
7 When the wicked man dieth, his hope cometh to an end; Yea, the expectation of the unjust cometh to an end.
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.
8 The righteous man is delivered from trouble, And the wicked cometh into it in his stead.
The righteous person is kept away from trouble and it comes upon the wicked instead.
9 By his mouth the vile man destroyeth his neighbor; But by the knowledge of the righteous are men delivered.
With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great; by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.
12 He who despiseth his neighbor is void of understanding; A man of discernment holdeth his peace.
The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
13 He who goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he who is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.
14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.
15 He that is surety for another shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is sure.
Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.
16 A graceful woman obtaineth honor, Even as strong men obtain riches.
A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.
17 He that doeth good to himself is a man of kindness; But he that tormenteth his own flesh is cruel.
A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.
18 The wicked toileth for deceitful wages; But he who soweth righteousness shall have a sure reward.
The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life, So he who pursueth evil pursueth it to his death.
An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.
20 The perverse in heart are the abomination of the LORD; But the upright in their way are his delight.
Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 From generation to generation the wicked shall not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous shall be delivered.
Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.
Like a gold ring in a pig's nose is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The desires of righteous people result in good, but wicked people can only hope for wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is right, yet he cometh to want.
There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more; another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.
25 The bountiful man shall be enriched, And he that watereth shall himself be watered.
The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.
26 Him that keepeth back corn the people curse; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
People curse the man who refuses to sell grain, but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.
27 He, who earnestly seeketh good, seeketh favor; But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come upon him.
The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor, but the one who searches for evil will find it.
28 He who trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.
29 He that harasseth his household shall inherit wind; And the fool shall be the servant of the wise.
The one who brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind and the fool will become a servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life; And the wise man winneth souls.
The righteous person will be like a tree of life, but violence takes away lives.
31 Behold, the righteous man is requited on the earth; Much more the wicked man and the sinner!
Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
