Proverbs 11

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

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

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

With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

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

Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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