11 [a]A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah;
But a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame;
But with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them;
But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath;
But righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall [b]direct his way;
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them;
But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish;
And the hope of [c]iniquity perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble;
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor;
But through knowledge shall the righteous 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 despiseth his neighbor is void of [d]wisdom;
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;
But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
14 Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth;
But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger [e]shall smart for it;
But he that hateth [f]suretyship is secure.
16 A gracious woman obtaineth honor;
And violent men obtain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul;
But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages;
But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19 [g]He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life;
And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.
20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah;
But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.
21 [h]Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished;
But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a fair woman that [i]is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good;
But the expectation of the wicked is [j]wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
And there is that withholdeth [k]more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat;
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him;
But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor;
But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;
But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind;
And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that is wise winneth souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth;
How much more the wicked and the sinner!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:1 Hebrew A balance of deceit.
- Proverbs 11:5 Or, make straight (or, plain)
- Proverbs 11:7 Or, strong men
- Proverbs 11:12 Hebrew heart.
- Proverbs 11:15 Hebrew shall be sore broken.
- Proverbs 11:15 Hebrew those that strike hands.
- Proverbs 11:19 Or, So righteousness tendeth to life, and he etc.
- Proverbs 11:21 Or, My hand upon it! Hebrew Hand to hand.
- Proverbs 11:22 Hebrew turneth aside from.
- Proverbs 11:23 Or, arrogance
- Proverbs 11:24 Or, what is justly due