Proverbs 11
1 A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
When pride comes, disgrace follows, 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 perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9 A hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and 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.
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety.
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong [men] retain riches.
A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but [he that is] cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20 They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight.
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman who is without discretion.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good: [but] the expectation of the wicked [is] wrath.
The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth [it].
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool [shall be] 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 fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
