Proverbs 11-15

Christian Standard Bible

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

² When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.^(C)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,^(D)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.^(E)

⁴ Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.^(F)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.^(G)

⁷ When the wicked person dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth^[a][b] vanishes.^(H)

⁸ The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.^(I)

⁹ 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)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.^(AQ)

² One who is good obtains favor from the Lord,^(AR)
but he condemns a person who schemes.^(AS)

³ No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.^(AT)

⁴ A wife of noble character^[e] is her husband’s crown,^(AU)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.^(AV)

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked is deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,^(AW)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(AX)

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and perish,^(AY)
but the house of the righteous will stand.^(AZ)

⁸ A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.^(BA)

¹⁰ The righteous cares about his animal’s health,^(BB)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ The one who works his land will have plenty of food,^(BC)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.^(BD)

¹² The wicked desire what evil people have caught,^[f]
but the root of the righteous is productive.

¹³ By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,^(BE)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.^(BF)

¹⁴ A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,^(BG)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.^(BH)

¹⁵ A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,^(BI)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

¹⁶ A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.^(BJ)

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.^(BK)

¹⁸ There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;^(BL)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(BM)

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.^(BN)

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.^(BO)

²¹ No disaster overcomes the righteous,^(BP)
but the wicked are full of misery.

²² Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,^(BQ)
but faithful people are his delight.^(BR)

²³ A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.^(BS)

²⁴ The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.^(BT)

²⁵ Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.^(BU)

²⁶ A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,^[g]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.^(BV)

²⁷ A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game,^(BW)
but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious.^(BX)

²⁸ There is life in the path of righteousness,
and in its path there is no death.^[h](BY)

13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

² From the fruit of his mouth,
a person will enjoy good things,^(BZ)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.^(CA)

³ The one who guards his mouth protects his life;^(CB)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.^(CC)

⁴ The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.^(CD)

⁵ The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked bring disgust and shame.

⁶ Righteousness guards people of integrity,^[i]
but wickedness undermines the sinner.^(CE)

⁷ One person pretends to be rich but has nothing;^(CF)
another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth.^(CG)

⁸ Riches are a ransom for a person’s life,^(CH)
but a poor person hears no threat.

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,^(CI)
but the lamp of the wicked is put out.^(CJ)

¹⁰ Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,^(CK)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

¹¹ Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,^(CL)
but whoever earns it through labor^[j] will multiply it.^(CM)

¹² Hope delayed makes the heart sick,
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.^(CN)

¹³ The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,^(CO)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.^(CP)

¹⁴ A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,^(CQ)
turning people away from the snares of death.^(CR)

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor,^(CS)
but the way of the treacherous never changes.^[k]

¹⁶ Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.^(CT)

¹⁷ A wicked envoy falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.^(CU)

¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.^(CV)

¹⁹ Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil is detestable to fools.^(CW)

²⁰ The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

²¹ Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.^(CX)

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his^[l] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.^(CY)

²³ The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.

²⁴ The one who will not use the rod hates his son,^(CZ)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.^(DA)

²⁵ A righteous person eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.^(DB)

14 Every wise woman builds her house,^(DC)
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.^(DD)

² Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,^(DE)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.^(DF)

³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,^[m]
but the lips of the wise protect them.^(DG)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,^[n]
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.^(DH)

⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish person;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.^(DI)

⁸ The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

⁹ Fools mock at making reparation,^[o]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.^(DJ)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a person,^(DK)
but its end is the way to death.^(DL)

¹³ Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.^(DM)

¹⁴ The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good one, what his deeds deserve.^(DN)

¹⁵ The inexperienced one believes anything,^(DO)
but the sensible one watches^[p] his steps.

¹⁶ A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,^(DP)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.^[q]

¹⁷ A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
and one who schemes is hated.^(DQ)

¹⁸ The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before those who are good,
and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,^(DR)
but there are many who love the rich.^(DS)

²¹ The one who despises his neighbor sins,^(DT)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.^(DU)

²² Don’t those who plan evil go astray?^(DV)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.^(DW)

²³ There is profit in all hard work,
but endless talk^[r] leads only to poverty.^(DX)

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

²⁵ A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.^(DY)

²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.^(DZ)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.^(EA)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

²⁹ A patient person shows great understanding,^(EB)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body,^(EC)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.^(ED)

³¹ The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,^(EE)
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.^(EF)

³² The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,^(EG)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.^(EH)

³³ Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;^(EI)
she is known^[s] even among fools.

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.^(EJ)

³⁵ A king favors a prudent servant,^(EK)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

15 A gentle answer turns away anger,^(EL)
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.^(EM)

² The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.^(EN)

³ The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.^(EO)

⁴ The tongue that heals is a tree of life,^(EP)
but a devious tongue^[t] breaks the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.^(EQ)

⁶ The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

⁷ The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,^(ER)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.^(ES)

⁹ The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.^(ET)

¹⁰ Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord^(EU)—
how much more, human hearts.^(EV)

¹² A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;^(EW)
he will not consult the wise.

¹³ A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.^(EX)

¹⁴ A discerning mind seeks knowledge,^(EY)
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.^(EZ)

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.^(FA)

¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox^(FB) with hatred.^(FC)

¹⁸ A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,^(FD)
but one slow to anger^(FE) calms strife.

¹⁹ A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.^(FF)

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.^(FG)

²¹ Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a person with understanding walks a straight path.^(FH)

²² Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.^(FI)

²³ A person takes joy in giving an answer;^[u]
and a timely word—how good that is!^(FJ)

²⁴ For the prudent the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵ The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,
but he protects the widow’s territory.^(FK)

²⁶ The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,
but pleasant words are pure.^(FL)

²⁷ The one who profits dishonestly^(FM) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.^(FN)

²⁸ The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,^(FO)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.^(FP)

²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,^(FQ)
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^(FR)

³⁰ Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens^[v] the bones.^(FS)

³¹ One who^[w] listens to life-giving rebukes^(FT)
will be at home among the wise.

³² Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,^(FU)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.^[x](FV)

³³ The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.^(FW)