Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate, but he delights in a precise weight.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes 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 the treacherous shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
4 Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, but doing right keeps you from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own 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 shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.
7 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.
8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
The righteous person is kept away from trouble and it comes upon the wicked instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbour, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. 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 One who despises his neighbour is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.
14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counsellors there is victory.
Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.
15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
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 gracious woman obtains honour, but violent men obtain riches.
A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.
17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.
18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.
19 He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.
20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks 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. 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 one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more; another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.
26 People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
People curse the man who refuses to sell grain, but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favour, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor, but the one who searches for evil will find it.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.
29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
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 the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
The righteous person will be like a tree of life, but violence takes away lives.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
