Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.

4 Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.

7 When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.

8 The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.

9 With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.

13 A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

15 He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.

16 A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.

21 Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.

24 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.

25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26 The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

27 He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

29 He who brings trouble on his 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 receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 ¶ When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: 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.

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

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

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

15 ¶ He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

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

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

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

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

20 ¶ They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright 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.

22 ¶ [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 False scales are an abomination unto the LORD: but a perfect weight is his delight.

2 Where pride is, there is shame: but wisdom is with the humble.

3 innocence shall guide the pious; but wickedness shall disturb the scornful.

4 Good helpeth not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the upright maketh his way straight: but the wicked shall fall by his wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but the scornful shall be snared in their wickedness.

7 When the wicked man dieth, hope is lost; and the waiting of the unrighteous is brought to nought.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked is put in his place.

9 By the mouth of the hypocrite his neighbour is destroyed: but the righteous know it, and are saved.

10 A city rejoiceth when the righteous prosper: and when the wicked perish, it is glad.

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

12 He that dishonoureth his neighbour is a fool: but a man that hath understanding quieteth it.

13 A slanderer betrayeth that which he knoweth secretly: but he that is of a faithful heart hideth the same.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people perish: but where there is much counsel, the people prosper.

15 He that is a surety for another shall be in danger: but he that isware of vows is safe.

16 A fair woman receiveth honour: but tyrants receive riches.

17 A merciful man doeth good to his body: but an unmerciful man grieveth also his flesh and blood.

18 The work of the wicked shall fail: but he that soweth righteousness is surely good.

19 For righteousness increaseth unto life: but to pursue after evil increaseth unto death.

20 The LORD hath abhorred of the perverse in heart, and is well pleased with the upright.

21 Though they put all their hands together, it profiteth not the wicked: but the seed of the righteous shall be saved.

22 A fair woman without breeding is like a sow with a golden headband.

23 The desire of the righteous is a good thing: but the hope of the wicked is a calamity.

24 One distributeth, and hath more and more: another spareth, when he ought not, and yet becometh poorer.

25 The soul that blesseth abundantly becometh fat: and he that maketh drunk shall be drunken.

26 He that keepeth corn, men curse him: but blessing cometh upon him that selleth it.

27 To him that seeketh good things shall good things come: but to him that seeketh evil things shall evil things come.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall perish: but the righteous shall flourish like a leaf.

29 He that grieveth his own house shall have wind for an inheritance: and a fool shall be the servant of a wise man.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life: and a wise man taketh heartily to his people.

31 If the righteous suffer on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!