Proverbs 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

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

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

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

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

15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.footnote ffootnote g

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dishonest Scales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind,and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,and he who wins souls is wise.

31If the righteous receive their due on earth,how much more the ungodly and the sinner!footnote a