Proverbs 11
1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him.
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD; but a perfect weight is His delight.
2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.
4 [Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; but the faithless shall be trapped in their own crafty device.
7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of strength perisheth.
8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is joy.
11 [At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment holdeth his peace.
13 A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
Where no wise direction is, a people falleth; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth them that strike hands is secure.
16 A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to lack: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.
A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches.
17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life; but he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD; but such as are upright in their way are His delight.
21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.
22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman that turneth aside from discretion.
23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
The desire of the righteous is only good; but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.
26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favour: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.
He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as foliage.
29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.
31 If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
