Proverbs 11

¹ False scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a full weight is his delight.

² When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom.

³ The honesty of the upright guides them; the faithless are ruined by their duplicity.

⁴ Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but virtue saves from death.

⁵ The honest man's virtue makes his way straight, but by his wickedness the wicked man falls.

⁶ The virtue of the upright saves them, but the faithless are caught in their own intrigue.

⁷ When a wicked man dies his hope perishes, and what is expected from strength comes to nought.

⁸ The just man escapes trouble, and the wicked man falls into it in his stead.

⁹ With his mouth the impious man would ruin his neighbor, but through their knowledge the just make their escape.

¹⁰ When the just prosper, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

¹¹ Through the blessing of the righteous the city is exalted, but through the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

¹² He who reviles his neighbor has no sense, but the intelligent man keeps silent.

¹³ A newsmonger reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps a confidence.

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a people falls; security lies in many counselors.

¹⁵ He is in a bad way who becomes surety for another, but he who hates giving pledges is safe.

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 A kindly man benefits himself, but a merciless man harms himself.

¹⁸ The wicked man makes empty profits, but he who sows virture has a sure reward.

¹⁹ Virtue directs toward life, but he who pursues evil does so to his death.

²⁰ The depraved in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those who walk blamelessly are his delight.

²¹ Truly the evil man shall not go unpunished, but those who are just shall escape.

²² Like a golden ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman with a rebellious disposition.

²³ The desire of the just ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

²⁴ One man is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.

²⁵ He who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

²⁶ Him who monopolizes grain, the people curse-- but blessings upon the head of him who distributes it!

²⁷ He who seeks the good commands favor, but he who pursues evil will have evil befall him.

²⁸ He who trusts in his riches will fall, but like green leaves the just flourish.

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 virtue is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.

³¹ If the just man is punished on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!