Proverbs 11
1 Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate, but he delights in a precise weight.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4 Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, but doing right keeps you from death.
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5 The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight, but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8 The righteous person is kept away from trouble and it comes upon the wicked instead.
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9 With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great; by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15 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.
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.
A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20 Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's nose is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desires of righteous people result in good, but wicked people can only hope for wrath.
The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24 There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more; another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25 The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 People curse the man who refuses to sell grain, but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27 The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor, but the one who searches for evil will find it.
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29 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.
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The righteous person will be like a tree of life, but violence takes away lives.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
