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

When pride 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 man 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)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 A kind man benefits himself,(Q)
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.(R)

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

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

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

21 Be assured[d] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,(W)
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.(X)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AM)
but violence[e] takes lives.

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

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
  2. Proverbs 11:7 Or strength
  3. Proverbs 11:16 Or ruthless
  4. Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
  5. Proverbs 11:30 LXX, Syr; MT reads but a wise one

11 耶和華憎惡騙人的天平,
    喜愛公平的法碼。
傲慢帶來羞辱,
    謙卑者有智慧。
正直人靠誠實引導,
    奸詐者被奸詐毀滅。
在降怒之日,財富毫無益處,
    唯有公義能救人免於死亡。
純全人行義走坦途,
    惡人作惡致沉淪。
正直人被義行所救,
    奸詐者被私慾所擄。
惡人一死,他的希望就破滅,
    他對財勢的冀望轉眼成空。
義人脫離患難,
    惡人落入苦難。
不敬虔的張口敗壞鄰舍,
    義人卻因知識獲得拯救。
10 義人亨通,全城快樂;
    惡人滅亡,人人歡呼。
11 城因正直人的祝福而興盛,
    因惡人的口舌而傾覆。
12 無知者輕視鄰舍,
    明哲人保持緘默。
13 嚼舌者洩露秘密,
    忠信者守口如瓶。
14 缺乏智謀,國必敗亡;
    謀士眾多,戰無不勝。
15 為他人作保,必受虧損;
    厭惡當保人,得享平安。
16 賢淑的女子得到尊榮,
    殘暴的男子得到資財。
17 仁慈的人造福自己,
    殘酷的人惹禍上身。
18 惡人賺來的轉眼成空,
    播種公義的必獲獎賞。
19 堅持行義,必得生命;
    追逐罪惡,終必滅亡。
20 心術不正的人令耶和華憎惡,
    純全無過的人蒙耶和華喜愛。
21 惡人終必落入法網,
    義人的子孫必得拯救。
22 女子貌美無內涵,
    如同豬鼻掛金環。
23 義人的願望結出善果,
    惡人的希望招致烈怒。
24 有人樂善好施,反倒越來越富;
    有人一毛不拔,反而越來越窮。
25 慷慨好施的必得昌盛,
    恩待他人的必蒙恩待。
26 囤糧不賣,惹人咒詛;
    樂意賣糧,必蒙祝福。
27 尋求良善得恩惠,
    追求罪惡遭禍患。
28 倚仗財勢者必衰敗,
    義人必興旺如綠葉。
29 禍害自家,必一無所有,
    愚人必做智者的僕役。
30 義人結果如生命之樹,
    智者深得人心。
31 看啊!義人在世上尚且遭報[a]
    更何況罪人和惡人呢?

Footnotes

  1. 11·31 義人在世上尚且遭報」七十士譯本為「義人尚且難以得救」,參見彼得前書4·18

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.

The Folly of Wickedness

11 (A)Dishonest[a] scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a [b]just weight is His delight.

When pride comes, then comes (B)shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright will guide (C)them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
(D)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But (E)righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will [c]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own (F)wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will (G)perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
(H)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 (I)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is (J)exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who [d]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 (K)A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit (L)conceals a matter.

14 (M)Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is (N)surety[e] for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates [f]being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 (O)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But (P)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (Q)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (R)death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 (S)Though they join [g]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (T)the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [h]discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (U)is wrath.

24 There is one who (V)scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 (W)The generous soul will be made rich,
(X)And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse (Y)him who withholds grain,
But (Z)blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good [i]finds favor,
(AA)But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 (AB)He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But (AC)the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house (AD)will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be (AE)servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And (AF)he who [j]wins souls is wise.

31 (AG)If the righteous will be [k]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
  2. Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
  3. Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
  4. Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
  5. Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
  6. Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
  7. Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
  8. Proverbs 11:22 taste
  9. Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
  10. Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
  11. Proverbs 11:31 rewarded