11 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but an accurate weight is his delight.(B)

When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(C)

The integrity of the upright guides them,(D)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(E)

Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(F)

The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(G)

When the wicked person dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[a][b] vanishes.(H)

The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(I)

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

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices;(J)
when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.(K)

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(L)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(M)

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a person with understanding keeps silent.(N)

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(O)

14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(P)

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(Q)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[c] people gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,(R)
but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.(S)

18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(T)

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,(U)
but pursuing evil leads to death.(V)

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(W)

21 Be assured[d] that a wicked person
will not go unpunished,(X)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(Y)

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,(Z)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.(AA)

24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(AB)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(AC)

25 A generous person will be enriched,(AD)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(AE)

26 People will curse(AF) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(AG)

27 The one who searches for what is good(AH) seeks favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(AI)

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,(AJ)
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.(AK)

29 The one who brings ruin on his household(AL)
will inherit the wind,(AM)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AN)
but a cunning person takes lives.(AO)

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(AP)

Footnotes

  1. 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
  2. 11:7 Or strength
  3. 11:16 Or ruthless
  4. 11:21 Lit Hand to hand

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,
    but delights in an accurate weight.
When pride comes, so does shame,
    but wisdom brings humility.
Integrity guides the virtuous,
    but dishonesty ruins the treacherous.
Riches don’t help in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness rescues from death.
The righteousness of the innocent makes their path straight,
    but the wicked fall in their wickedness.
Those who do right are saved by their righteousness,
    but the untrustworthy are caught by their own desires.
When the wicked die, their hope perishes.
    Yes, any hope based on money perishes.
The righteous are saved from distress,
    and the wicked take their place.
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words,
    but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
10 When the righteous succeed, a city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 A city is honored by the blessing of the virtuous;
    it is destroyed by the words of the wicked.
12 Whoever despises their neighbor lacks sense;
    a sensible person keeps quiet.
13 A slanderer walks around revealing secrets,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
    but there is victory with many counselors.
15 Guaranteeing the debt of a stranger brings big trouble,
    but the one who refuses to shake hands will be secure.
16 A gracious woman gains honor;
    violent men gain only wealth.
17 Kind persons benefit themselves,
    but cruel people harm themselves.
18 The wicked earn false wages,
    but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.
19 The righteous are headed toward life,
    but those who pursue evil, toward death.
20 The Lord detests a crooked heart,
    but he favors those whose path is innocent.
21 The evil person will surely not go unpunished,
    but the children of the righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s nose
    is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desires of the righteous end up well,
    but the expectations of the wicked bring wrath.
24 Those who give generously receive more,
    but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy.
25 Generous persons will prosper;
    those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
26 People curse those who hoard grain,
    but they bless those[a] who sell it.
27 Those who look for good find favor,
    but those who seek evil—it will come to them.
28 Those who trust in their wealth will wither,
    but the righteous will thrive like leafy trees.
29 Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind.
    The fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the wise gather lives.[b]
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,
    how much more the wicked and sinners?

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:26 Or the heads of those
  2. Proverbs 11:30 Or LXX, Syr violence takes lives away