Proverbs 11:1-31
11 Dishonest* scales are detestable to Jehovah,But an accurate weight* brings pleasure to him.+
2 When presumptuousness comes, dishonor will follow,+But wisdom is with the modest ones.+
3 The integrity of the upright is what guides them,+But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them.+
4 Wealth* will be of no benefit on the day of fury,+But righteousness is what will rescue from death.+
5 The righteousness of the blameless one makes his path straight,But the wicked one will fall because of his own wickedness.+
6 The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,+But the treacherous will be caught by their own desires.+
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;And expectations based on his power also perish.+
8 The righteous one is rescued from distress,And the wicked one takes his place.+
9 By his mouth the apostate* brings his neighbor to ruin,But by knowledge the righteous are rescued.+
10 The goodness of the righteous makes a city rejoice,And when the wicked perish, there is a joyful cry.+
11 Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,+But the mouth of the wicked tears it down.+
12 Whoever is lacking good sense* shows contempt for* his neighbor,But the man of true discernment remains silent.+
13 A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk,+But the trustworthy person* keeps a confidence.*
14 When there is no skillful direction,* the people fall,But there is success* through many advisers.*+
15 Whoever guarantees a loan* for a stranger is sure to fare badly,+But whoever avoids* shaking hands in a pledge will be secure.
16 A gracious* woman acquires glory,+But ruthless men seize riches.
17 A kind man* benefits himself,*+But the cruel person brings trouble* on himself.+
18 The wicked one earns deceptive wages,+But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward.+
19 The one standing firmly for righteousness is in line for life,+But the one chasing after evil is in line for death.
20 Those crooked at heart are detestable to Jehovah,+But those whose way is blameless bring pleasure to him.+
21 Be assured of this:* An evil person will not go unpunished,+But the children of the righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in the snout of a pigIs a beautiful woman who rejects good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous leads to good,+But what the wicked hope for leads to fury.
24 One gives generously* and ends up with more;+Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty.+
25 The generous person* will prosper,*+And whoever refreshes* others will himself be refreshed.+
26 The people will curse the one who withholds grain,But they will bless the one who sells it.
27 The one who diligently seeks to do good seeks favor,+But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him.+
28 The one trusting in his riches will fall,+But the righteous will flourish like the foliage.+
29 Anyone who brings trouble* on his household will inherit the wind,+And the fool will be a servant to the wisehearted one.
30 The fruitage of the righteous one is a tree of life,+And the one who wins souls* is wise.+
31 If, indeed, the righteous one on earth is rewarded,How much more the wicked one and the sinner!+
Footnotes
^ Or “a complete stone weight.”
^ Or “Cheating.”
^ Or “Valuable things.”
^ Or “godless man.”
^ Lit., “in want of heart.”
^ Or “despises.”
^ Lit., “the one faithful in spirit.”
^ Lit., “covers over a matter.”
^ Or “wise guidance.”
^ Or “salvation.”
^ Or “counselors.”
^ Lit., “hates.”
^ Or “puts up security.”
^ Or “charming.”
^ Or “A man of loyal love.”
^ Or “does good to his soul.”
^ Or “disgrace.”
^ Lit., “Hand to hand.”
^ Lit., “scatters.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “will be made fat.”
^ Lit., “freely waters.”
^ Or “disgrace.”