Proverbs 11

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

Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate, but he delights in a precise weight.

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

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

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

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.

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

Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, but doing right keeps you from death.

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

The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight, but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.

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

The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.

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

When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.

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

The righteous person is kept away from trouble and it comes upon the wicked instead.

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

With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.

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

When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

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

Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great; by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.

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

The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.

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

Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.

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

Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.

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

Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.

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

A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.

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

A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.

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

The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.

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

An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.

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

Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

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

Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.

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

Like a gold ring in a pig's nose is a beautiful woman without discretion.

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

The desires of righteous people result in good, but wicked people can only hope for wrath.

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 is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more; another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.

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

The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.

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

People curse the man who refuses to sell grain, but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.

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

The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor, but the one who searches for evil will find it.

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

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.

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

The one who brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind and the fool will become a servant to the wise of heart.

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

The righteous person will be like a tree of life, but violence takes away lives.

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

Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves; how much more the wicked and the sinner!