Proverbs 11

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.	1 False scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a full weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.	2 When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.	3 The honesty of the upright guides them; the faithless are ruined by their duplicity.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.	4 Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but virtue saves from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.	5 The honest man's virtue makes his way straight, but by his wickedness the wicked man falls.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.	6 The virtue of the upright saves them, but the faithless are caught in their own intrigue.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.	7 When a wicked man dies his hope perishes, and what is expected from strength comes to nought.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.	8 The just man escapes trouble, and the wicked man falls into it in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.	9 With his mouth the impious man would ruin his neighbor, but through their knowledge the just make their escape.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.	10 When the just prosper, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.	11 Through the blessing of the righteous the city is exalted, but through the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.	12 He who reviles his neighbor has no sense, but the intelligent man keeps silent.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.	13 A newsmonger reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps a confidence.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.	14 For lack of guidance a people falls; security lies in many counselors.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.	15 He is in a bad way who becomes surety for another, but he who hates giving pledges is safe.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.	16 A gracious woman wins esteem, but she who hates virtue is covered with shame. (The slothful become impoverished, but the diligent gain wealth.)
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.	17 A kindly man benefits himself, but a merciless man harms himself.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.	18 The wicked man makes empty profits, but he who sows virture has a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.	19 Virtue directs toward life, but he who pursues evil does so to his 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.	20 The depraved in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those who walk blamelessly are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.	21 Truly the evil man shall not go unpunished, but those who are just shall escape.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.	22 Like a golden ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman with a rebellious disposition.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.	23 The desire of the just ends only in good; 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.	24 One man is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.	25 He who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.	26 Him who monopolizes grain, the people curse-- but blessings upon the head of him who distributes it!
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.	27 He who seeks the good commands favor, but he who pursues evil will have evil befall him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.	28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but like green leaves the just flourish.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.	29 He who upsets his household has empty air for a heritage; and the fool will become slave to the wise man.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.	30 The fruit of virtue is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.	31 If the just man is punished on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!