Proverbs 11

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

Scales of deceit are hated by the Lord, but a true weight is his delight.

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

When pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

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

The righteousness of the upright will be their guide, but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction.

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

Wealth is of no profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness keeps a man safe 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 good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall.

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

The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs.

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

At the death of an upright man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes to destruction.

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

The upright man is taken out of trouble, and in his place comes the sinner.

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

With his mouth the evil man sends destruction on his neighbour; but through knowledge the upright are taken out of trouble.

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

When things go well for the upright man, all the town is glad; at the death of sinners, there are cries of joy.

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 man the town is made great, but it is overturned by the mouth of the evil-doer.

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

He who has a poor opinion of his neighbour has no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet.

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

He who goes about talking of others makes secrets public, but the true-hearted man keeps things covered.

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

When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but with a number of wise guides they will be safe.

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

He who makes himself responsible for a strange man will undergo much loss; but the hater of such undertakings will be safe.

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

A woman who is full of grace is honoured, but a woman hating righteousness is a seat of shame: those hating work will undergo loss, but the strong keep their wealth.

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

The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.

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

The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness.

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

So righteousness gives life; but he who goes after evil gets death for himself.

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

The uncontrolled are hated by the Lord, but those whose ways are without error are his delight

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

Certainly the evil-doer will not go free from punishment, but the seed of the upright man will be safe.

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

Like a ring of gold in the nose of a pig, is a beautiful woman who has no sense.

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

The desire of the upright man is only for good, but wrath is waiting for the evil-doer.

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

A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need.

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

He who gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.

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

He who keeps back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing will be on the head of him who lets them have it for a price.

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

He who, with all his heart, goes after what is good is searching for grace; but he who is looking for trouble will get it.

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

He who puts his faith in wealth will come to nothing; but the upright man will be full of growth like 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.

The troubler of his house will have the wind for his heritage, and the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted.

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

The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, but violent behaviour takes away souls.

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

If the upright man is rewarded on earth, how much more the evil-doer and the sinner!