Proverbs 11

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

A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah, but a just weight is his delight.

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

When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.

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

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

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

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

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

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

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own iniquity.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of iniquity perishes.

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

A righteous man is delivered out of trouble, and a wicked man comes in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous shall be delivered through knowledge.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

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

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

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

He who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

He who goes around as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

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

He who is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure.

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

A gracious woman obtains honor, and aggressive men obtain riches.

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

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness has a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

He who is steadfast in righteousness comes to life, and he who pursues evil comes to his own death.

20 They that are of a perverse heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Hand in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

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

A ring of gold in a swine's snout, is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.

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

The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but it tendeth to poverty.

There is he who scatters, and increases yet more, and there he is who withholds more than is proper, but only to want.

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

The generous soul shall be made prosperous, and he who waters shall also be watered himself.

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

The people shall curse him who withholds grain, but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

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

He who trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

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

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. And a foolish man shall be servant to a wise man of heart.

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

The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

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