Proverbs 11

1 A FALSE balance is an abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

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

When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

[Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.

The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.

7 When a wicked man dieth [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.

At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.

9 With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

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

[At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]

12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

13 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.

14 Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: but he that hateth suretiship is sure.

A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and violent men retain riches.

A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages: but he that soweth righteousness [hath] a sure reward.

An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19 He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life: and he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.

A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.

20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD: but such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.

Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.

21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.

22 [As a] jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion.

As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: [but] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.

There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].

27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour: but he that searcheth after mischief, it shall come unto him.

He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favour: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.

Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner!

If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?