Proverbs 11

1 The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.

A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will.

2 With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom.

3 Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.

The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them.

4 Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.

Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.

5 The goodness of the innocent keeps them on track, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.

6 The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.

The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.

7 When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.

When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.

8 The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.

The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.

9 Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.

The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.

10 The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.

In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.

11 Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.

By the blessing of the just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted.

12 People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.

Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.

13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.

Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend.

14 A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.

Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.

15 You'll get into trouble if you guarantee a stranger's loans—you're far safer if you refuse to make such pledges.

He will be afflicted with evil, who provides a guarantee for an outsider. But whoever is wary of traps shall be secure.

16 A gracious woman holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.

A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth.

17 If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.

A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.

18 The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.

The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.

19 Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.

Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.

20 The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.

A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.

21 You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.

Hand in hand, the evil shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved.

22 A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.

23 Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.

The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury.

24 If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.

Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.

25 If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.

The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself.

26 People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.

Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

27 If you look to do good, you'll be appreciated; but if you look for evil, you'll find it!

He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.

28 If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.

29 If you cause trouble in your family, you'll inherit nothing but air. Stupid people end up as servants to those who think wisely.

Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.

30 The fruit of the good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.

The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise.

31 If the good are repaid here on earth, how much more will the wicked who sin be repaid!

If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!