Proverbs 11
1
Dishonest scales are
an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight
is His delight.
2 When pride comes,
then comes shame;
But with the humble
is wisdom.
3 The integrity of
the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of
the unfaithful will destroy
them.
4 Riches do not
profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness
delivers from death.
5 The righteousness
of the blameless will direct[a]
his way aright,
But the wicked will
fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness
of the upright will deliver
them,
But the unfaithful
will be caught by their
lust.
7 When a wicked man
dies, his expectation
will perish,
And the hope of the
unjust perishes.
8 The righteous is
delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the
wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite with
his mouth destroys
his neighbor,
But through knowledge
the righteous will be
delivered.
10 When it goes well
with the righteous, the city
rejoices;
And when the wicked
perish, there is
jubilation.
11 By the blessing of
the upright the city is
exalted,
But it is overthrown
by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who is devoid
of wisdom despises his
neighbor,
But a man of
understanding holds his
peace.
13 A talebearer
reveals secrets,
But he who is of a
faithful spirit conceals a
matter.
14 Where there is
no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude
of counselors there is
safety.
15 He who is surety
for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates
being surety is secure.
16 A gracious woman
retains honor,
But ruthless men
retain riches.
17 The merciful man
does good for his own soul,
But he who is
cruel troubles his own
flesh.
18 The wicked man
does deceptive work,
But he who sows
righteousness will have
a sure reward.
19 As righteousness
leads to life,
So he who pursues evil
pursues it to his own
death.
20 Those who are of a
perverse heart are an
abomination to the LORD,
But the
blameless in their ways
are His delight.
21 Though they
join forces,[b]
the wicked will not go
unpunished;
But the posterity of
the righteous will be
delivered.
22 As a ring
of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely
woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the
righteous is only
good,
But the
expectation of the wicked
is wrath.
24 There is one
who scatters, yet increases
more;
And there is one
who withholds more than is
right,
But it leads to
poverty.
25 The generous soul
will be made rich,
And he who waters will
also be watered himself.
26 The people will
curse him who withholds
grain,
But blessing will
be on the head of him
who sells it.
27 He who earnestly
seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come
to him who seeks evil.
28 He who trusts in
his riches will fall,
But the righteous will
flourish like foliage.
29 He who troubles
his own house will inherit
the wind,
And the fool will
be servant to the wise
of heart.
30 The fruit of the
righteous is a tree
of life,
And he who wins souls
is wise.
31 If the righteous
will be recompensed on the
earth,
How much more the
ungodly and the sinner.
Footnotes:
-
Proverbs 11:5 Or
make smooth or
straight
-
Proverbs 11:21
Literally hand to
hand
