Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own iniquity.
The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.
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 just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is secure.
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 retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares 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.
A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.
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 shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion.
A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but it tendeth to poverty.
Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself.
26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.
He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!
