Proverbs 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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