Proverbs 11

International Standard Version

² When pride appears, disgrace accompanies it,
    but humility is present with wisdom.
³ The integrity of the righteous guides them,
    but the hypocrisy of the treacherous destroys them.
⁴ Wealth won’t help in the time of judgment,^[a]
    but righteousness will deliver from death.

⁵ The righteousness of the innocent creates a level path,
    but the wicked fall by their wickedness.
⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous are trapped by their evil desires.

⁷ When a wicked person dies, his hope vanishes;^[b]
    and what he^[c] expected from his scheming comes to nothing.
⁸ The righteous person is delivered from trouble;
    it comes upon the wicked instead.
⁹ By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

¹⁰ The city rejoices when the righteous prosper,
    and when the wicked perish there is jubilation.
¹¹ Through the blessing of the righteous a city is built up,
    but what the wicked say tears it down.

¹² Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but the discerning man controls his comments.
¹³ Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets,
    but the trustworthy person^[d] keeps a confidence.

¹⁴ A nation falls through a lack of guidance,
    but victory comes through the counsel of many.^[e]

¹⁵ Securing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering,
    but by refusing to do so, one remains safe.

¹⁶ A gracious woman attains honor,^[f]
    but^[g] ruthless men attain^[h] wealth.
¹⁷ A gracious man benefits himself,
    but the cruel person damages himself.

¹⁸ Evil people earn deceptive wages,
    but those who plant righteousness are truly rewarded.
¹⁹ Genuine righteousness leads to life,
    but whoever pursues evil will die.
²⁰ Devious minds are abhorrent to the Lord,
    but those whose ways are innocent are his delight.
²¹ Be sure of this:^[i] the wicked will not go unpunished,
    but the descendants of the righteous will go free.

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman without discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous is to seek good,
    but the hope of the wicked results in wrath.

²⁴ Those who give freely gain even more;
    others hold back what they owe, becoming even poorer.
²⁵ A generous person will prosper,
    and anyone who gives water will receive a flood in return.
²⁶ People will curse whoever withholds grain,
    but blessing will come to whoever is selling.

²⁷ The person seeking good will find favor,
    but anyone who searches for evil—it will find him!

²⁸ The person who trusts in his wealth will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

²⁹ Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be a servant to the wise.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is^[j] a tree of life,
    and the one who wins people is wise.^[k]
31 If the righteous receive what they are due here on earth,
    how much more will the wicked and the sinner.