Proverbs 11
Revised Geneva Translation
11 False balances are an abomination to the LORD. But a perfect weight pleases Him.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame. But wisdom is with the lowly.
3 The uprightness of the just shall guide them. But the crookedness of the transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches do not avail on the Day of Wrath. But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the upright shall direct his way. But the wicked shall fall in his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the just shall deliver them. But the transgressors shall be taken in their own wickedness.
7 When the wicked die, hope perishes. And the hope of the unjust shall perish.
8 The righteous escapes out of trouble. And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 A hypocrite hurts his neighbor with his mouth. But the righteous shall be delivered by knowledge.
10 In the prosperity of the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is joy.
11 By the blessing of the righteous the city is exalted. But it is subverted by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who despises his neighbor, is destitute of wisdom. But a man of understanding will keep silence.
13 He who goes about as a slanderer, discovers a secret. But he who is of a faithful heart, conceals a matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall. But where many counselors are, there is health.
15 He shall suffer who is a guarantor for a stranger. And he who hates guaranty, is sure.
16 A gracious woman attains honor. And the strong men attain riches.
17 He who is merciful rewards his own soul. But he who troubles his own flesh, is cruel.
18 The wicked work a deceitful work. But he who sows righteousness, shall receive a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to life, so he who follows evil seeks his own death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart, are abomination to the LORD. But those who 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 escape.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; the hope of the wicked, indignation.
24 There is one who scatters and is more increased. But one who spares more than is right, surely comes to poverty.
25 The liberal person shall have plenty. And he who waters, shall also have rain.
26 He who withholds the corn, the people will curse. But blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells corn.
27 He who seeks good things, gets favor. But he who seeks evil, it shall come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches, shall fall. But the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house, shall inherit the wind. And the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is as a tree of life. And he who wins souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed on the Earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner?
Proverbs 11
International Standard Version
The Value of Righteousness
11 The Lord hates false scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:4 Lit. the day of wrath
- Proverbs 11:7 So MT; LXX reads When a righteous man dies, his hope does not perish
- Proverbs 11:7 So MT; LXX reads what the ungodly
- Proverbs 11:13 Lit. trustworthy in spirit
- Proverbs 11:14 Or through much planning
- Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads honor for her husband
- Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads but a seat of dishonor is for the woman who hates justice
- Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads justice. The deficient shrink from wealth, but the diligent support themselves with
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit. Hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:30 So MT; LXX reads From the fruit of righteousness grows
- Proverbs 11:30 So MT; LXX reads life, but the souls of those who practice evil are cut off prematurely
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