Proverbs 11

1 Scales of deceit are hated by the Lord, but a true weight is his delight.

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.

2 When pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The righteousness of the upright will be their guide, but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

4 Wealth is of no profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness keeps a man safe from death.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall.

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

7 At the death of an upright man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes to destruction.

When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.

8 The upright man is taken out of trouble, and in his place comes the sinner.

A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.

9 With his mouth the evil man sends destruction on his neighbour; but through knowledge the upright are taken out of trouble.

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

10 When things go well for the upright man, all the town is glad; at the death of sinners, there are cries of joy.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright man the town is made great, but it is overturned by the mouth of the evil-doer.

By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who has a poor opinion of his neighbour has no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet.

One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 He who goes about talking of others makes secrets public, but the true-hearted man keeps things covered.

One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

14 When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but with a number of wise guides they will be safe.

Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

15 He who makes himself responsible for a strange man will undergo much loss; but the hater of such undertakings will be safe.

He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

16 A woman who is full of grace is honoured, but a woman hating righteousness is a seat of shame: those hating work will undergo loss, but the strong keep their wealth.

A gracious woman obtains honor, but she who hates virtue makes a throne for dishonor. The slothful become destitute, and ruthless men grab wealth.

17 The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness.

Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 So righteousness gives life; but he who goes after evil gets death for himself.

He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.

20 The uncontrolled are hated by the Lord, but those whose ways are without error are his delight

Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

21 Certainly the evil-doer will not go free from punishment, but the seed of the upright man will be safe.

Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.

22 Like a ring of gold in the nose of a pig, is a beautiful woman who has no sense.

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the upright man is only for good, but wrath is waiting for the evil-doer.

The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need.

There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

25 He who gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

26 He who keeps back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing will be on the head of him who lets them have it for a price.

People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who, with all his heart, goes after what is good is searching for grace; but he who is looking for trouble will get it.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

28 He who puts his faith in wealth will come to nothing; but the upright man will be full of growth like the green leaf.

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

29 The troubler of his house will have the wind for his heritage, and the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted.

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, but violent behaviour takes away souls.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who plucks that life is wise.

31 If the upright man is rewarded on earth, how much more the evil-doer and the sinner!

If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?