Proverbs 11

Dishonest scales are an abomination

The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.a ²When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.b ³The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.c

⁴Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.d ⁵The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

⁷Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. ⁸The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.e ⁹With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

¹⁰When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. ¹¹Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. ¹²Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

¹³A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.f ¹⁴For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.g ¹⁵Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

¹⁶A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. ¹⁷Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. ¹⁸A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.h

¹⁹Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. ²⁰The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. ²¹Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.i

²²Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. ²³The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. ²⁴One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.j

²⁵A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.k ²⁶People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. ²⁷Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

²⁸Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.l ²⁹Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.m

³¹If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!n