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11 El Señor reprueba las balanzas falsas
y aprueba las pesas exactas.

El orgullo acarrea deshonra;
la sabiduría está con los humildes.

A los hombres rectos los guía su rectitud;
a los hombres falsos los destruye su falsedad.

De nada servirán las riquezas el día del juicio,
pero la justicia libra de la muerte.

La justicia endereza el camino del justo,
pero el malvado cae por su propia maldad.

La justicia libera a los hombres rectos,
pero la codicia aprisiona a los traidores.

Cuando el malvado muere,
mueren con él sus esperanzas e ilusiones.

Dios libra de la angustia al justo,
y en su lugar pone al malvado.

Las palabras del malvado destruyen a sus semejantes,
pero la inteligencia del justo los salva.

10 Cuando los justos prosperan, la ciudad se alegra;
cuando los malvados mueren, salta de alegría.

11 Con la bendición de los justos se construye una ciudad,
pero las palabras de los malvados la destruyen.

12 El imprudente habla mal de su amigo;
el prudente guarda silencio.

13 El chismoso todo lo cuenta;
la persona digna de confianza guarda el secreto.

14 Si no hay buen gobierno, la nación fracasa;
el triunfo depende de los muchos consejeros.

15 Mal resulta salir fiador de un extraño;
el que evita dar fianzas vive tranquilo.

16 La mujer agraciada recibe honores,
y el hombre audaz obtiene riquezas.

17 El que es compasivo se hace bien a sí mismo,
pero el que es cruel provoca su propio mal.

18 El malvado recibe una paga engañosa;
el que actúa con justicia, recompensa efectiva.

19 Ir tras la justicia conduce a la vida,
pero ir tras la maldad conduce a la muerte.

20 El Señor aborrece a los que tienen mente perversa,
pero mira con agrado a los de conducta intachable.

21 Ciertamente el malvado no quedará sin castigo,
pero los justos saldrán bien librados.

22 Anillo de oro en hocico de cerdo
es la mujer bella de poco cerebro.

23 El deseo de los justos siempre resulta bien;
el capricho de los malvados sólo provoca enojo.

24 Hay gente desprendida que recibe más de lo que da,
y gente tacaña que acaba en la pobreza.

25 El que es generoso, prospera;
el que da, también recibe.

26 Al que acapara trigo, la gente lo maldice;
al que lo vende, lo bendice.

27 El que anda tras el bien, busca ser aprobado;
al que anda tras el mal, mal le irá.

28 El que confía en sus riquezas, caerá como hoja seca,
pero los justos reverdecerán como las ramas.

29 Al que descuida su casa, nada le queda;
el necio siempre será esclavo del sabio.

30 La justicia da vida,
la violencia la quita.

31 Si el justo recibe su paga aquí en la tierra,
¡con cuánta más razón el malvado y el pecador!

Chapter 11

The Fruit of the Righteous . . .[a]

False scales are an abomination to the Lord,
    but a true weight is pleasing to him.
When pride is nurtured, disgrace soon follows,
    but wisdom is the hallmark of the humble.
The upright are guarded by their integrity;
    the treacherous are destroyed by their own duplicity.
Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath,[b]
    but righteousness delivers from death.
The virtue of the honest man keeps his way straight,
    whereas the evil man falls as a result of his wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright saves them,
    but the treacherous are trapped by their own schemes.
When a wicked man dies, all his expectations die with him,
    and the hope he placed in his riches comes to nought.
The righteous man escapes affliction,
    and the wicked man incurs it instead.
With his mouth the godless man seeks to ruin his neighbor,
    but knowledge enables the righteous to be delivered.
10 The city rejoices when the upright prosper,
    and when the wicked are ruined, there is exultation.
11 Through the blessing of the righteous a city is raised,
    but it is destroyed by the mouth of the wicked.
12 A man who lacks sense belittles a neighbor,
    but an intelligent man remains silent.
13 One who gossips reveals secrets,
    but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden.
14 For lack of leadership a nation collapses;
    safety is assured with a multitude of advisers.
15 Whoever puts up bail for a stranger will suffer loss,
    but the one who refuses to do so will be safe.
16 A gracious woman acquires honor,
    while the woman who hates virtue is covered with shame.
Those who are lazy become destitute,
    but those who are diligent gain wealth.[c]
17 A kind man benefits himself,
    whereas a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The labors of the wicked man produce little profit,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness finds life,
    but the one who pursues evil is on the road to death.
20 Those with perverse hearts are abhorrent to the Lord,
    but those whose ways are blameless are dear to him.
21 You need have no fear that the wicked will not be punished,
    but those who are righteous will escape harm.
22 Like a ring of gold[d] in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The righteous desire only what is good;
    the expectation of the wicked ends in wrath.
24 One man gives lavishly and increases his wealth,
    while another is tight-fisted and ends up impoverished.[e]
25 A generous person will be enriched;
    he who refreshes others will also be refreshed.
26 The people curse those who hoard grain,
    but the one who sells it earns their blessing.
27 Whoever strives for good earns great acclaim,
    but the one who pursues evil will be afflicted by it.
28 Whoever places his trust in riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like sprouting leaves.
29 Whoever causes trouble for his family inherits the wind,
    and a fool will become a servant to the wise man.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the wise man wins souls.[f]
31 If the just man receives his deserts on earth,
    how much more will the wicked and the sinner!

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:1 Once again we see the opposition between the righteous and the wicked. For there are two ways of life, and no person escapes choosing one of them. The reward of the righteous is already inscribed in the heart in some manner in his life, whereas the wicked has no valid perspective before him. The themes of kindness and mercy are joined to those of truth, uprightness, and good.
  2. Proverbs 11:4 Day of wrath: i.e., the day of judgment (see Isa 10:3; Zep 1:18).
  3. Proverbs 11:16 This verse follows the Greek. The Hebrew reads: “A kindhearted woman gains respect,/ but ruthless men acquire wealth.”
  4. Proverbs 11:22 Ring of gold: usually worn by women on their nose (see Gen 24:47; Ezek 16:20).
  5. Proverbs 11:24 Generosity brings greater blessings and prosperity (see Prov 3:9-10; Ps 112:9; Eccl 11:1-2; 2 Cor 6:9), while the one who is tight-fisted makes no friends and harms himself (see Prov 21:13).
  6. Proverbs 11:30 And the wise man wins souls: the Greek reads: “but violence takes lives away.”

Without Good Direction, People Lose Their Way

11 God hates cheating in the marketplace;
    he loves it when business is aboveboard.

The stuck-up fall flat on their faces,
    but down-to-earth people stand firm.

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track;
    the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.

A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart,
    but a principled life can stand up to the worst.

Moral character makes for smooth traveling;
    an evil life is a hard life.

Good character is the best insurance;
    crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.

When the wicked die, that’s it—
    the story’s over, end of hope.

A good person is saved from much trouble;
    a bad person runs straight into it.

The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction;
    the common sense of the godly preserves them.

10 When it goes well for good people, the whole town cheers;
    when it goes badly for bad people, the town celebrates.

11 When right-living people bless the city, it flourishes;
    evil talk turns it into a ghost town in no time.

12 Mean-spirited slander is heartless;
    quiet discretion accompanies good sense.

13 A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret,
    but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence.

14 Without good direction, people lose their way;
    the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

15 Whoever makes deals with strangers is sure to get burned;
    if you keep a cool head, you’ll avoid rash bargains.

16 A woman of gentle grace gets respect,
    but men of rough violence grab for loot.

A God-Shaped Life

17 When you’re kind to others, you help yourself;
    when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.

18 Bad work gets paid with a bad check;
    good work gets solid pay.

19 Take your stand with God’s loyal community and live,
    or chase after phantoms of evil and die.

20 God can’t stand deceivers,
    but oh how he relishes integrity.

21 Count on this: The wicked won’t get off scot-free,
    and God’s loyal people will triumph.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful face on an empty head.

23 The desires of good people lead straight to the best,
    but wicked ambition ends in angry frustration.

24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
    the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
    those who help others are helped.

26 Curses on those who drive a hard bargain!
    Blessings on all who play fair and square!

27 The one who seeks good finds delight;
    the student of evil becomes evil.

28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump;
    a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

29 Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air;
    common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live.

30 A good life is a fruit-bearing tree;
    a violent life destroys souls.

31 If good people barely make it,
    what’s in store for the bad!

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

Wealth(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(H)

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(L)
    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.(M)

The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(W)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(Y)

15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(AB)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(AC)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(AD)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.(AE)

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(AF)
    but he delights(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.(AH)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.(AI)

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous(AJ) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.(AK)

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.(AL)

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(AM)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(AN)

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(AO)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AP)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due(AQ) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.