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11 A (A)deceptive balance is an abomination to Yahweh,
But a (B)just weight is His delight.
When (C)arrogance comes, then comes disgrace,
But with the meek is wisdom.
The (D)integrity of the upright will lead them,
But the (E)crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
(F)Wealth will not profit in the day of wrath,
But (G)righteousness will deliver from death.
The (H)righteousness of the blameless will make his way straight,
But (I)the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will (J)be captured by their own desire.
When a wicked man dies, his (K)hope will perish,
And the (L)expectation of vigorous men perishes.
The righteous is rescued from [a]distress,
But the wicked [b]takes his place.
With his (M)mouth the godless man corrupts his neighbor,
But through knowledge the (N)righteous will be rescued.
10 When it (O)goes well with the righteous, the city exults,
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is raised up,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment keeps silent.
13 He (P)who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
But he who is faithful in spirit (Q)conceals a matter.
14 Where there is no (R)guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is salvation.
15 If one becomes a (S)guarantor for a stranger, he will surely suffer,
But he who hates [c]striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 A (T)gracious woman holds fast to glory,
But ruthless men hold fast to riches.
17 The man of (U)lovingkindness deals bountifully with his soul,
But the cruel man brings trouble on his flesh.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who (V)sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in (W)righteousness will attain to life,
And (X)he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
20 Those with a crooked heart are an abomination to Yahweh,
But those of a (Y)blameless way are His (Z)delight.
21 [d]Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,
But the seed of the righteous will escape.
22 As a (AA)ring of gold in a swine’s snout
So is a beautiful woman who turns away from [e]discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the (AB)hope of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who holds back what is rightly due, and yet results only in want.
25 The soul [f]that (AC)blesses will be [g]enriched,
And he who (AD)waters will himself be watered.
26 He who withholds grain, the (AE)people will curse him,
But (AF)blessing will be on the head of him who (AG)sells it.
27 He who earnestly seeks good seeks favor,
But (AH)he who searches for evil, evil will come to him.
28 He who (AI)trusts in his riches will fall,
But (AJ)the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 He who (AK)troubles his own house will (AL)inherit wind,
And (AM)the ignorant fool will be a slave to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is (AN)a tree of life,
And (AO)he who is wise [h]wins souls.
31 If (AP)the righteous will be repaid in the earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinner!

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:8 Or trouble
  2. Proverbs 11:8 Lit enters
  3. Proverbs 11:15 Or being a guarantor
  4. Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
  5. Proverbs 11:22 Lit taste
  6. Proverbs 11:25 Lit of blessing
  7. Proverbs 11:25 Lit made fat
  8. Proverbs 11:30 Lit takes

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.

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.”

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

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