Proverbs 11

1A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight.

1The LORD hates dishonest scales, but he is pleased with accurate weights.

2When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom.

2When pride comes, shame follows, but wisdom stays with those who are humble.

3The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

3The honesty of good people guides them, but the dishonesty of crooks destroys them.

4Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.

4Wealth is useless on the day of judgment, but living right saves a person from death.

5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

5The goodness of the innocent makes their path smooth, but the wicked are brought down by their own evil.

6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.

6Doing what is right rescues honest people, but those who can't be trusted are trapped by their own greed.

7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth.

7When a wicked person dies, all their hopes die with them; everything they expected from their power vanishes.

8The righteous is delivered out of trouble; And the wicked cometh in his stead.

8The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and the wicked person falls into it instead.

9With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

9With their words, godless people destroy their neighbors, but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.

10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

10The whole city celebrates when good people succeed, and there are shouts of joy when the wicked perish.

11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11A city is built up by the blessing of honest people, but it is torn down by the words of the wicked.

12He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

12It is foolish to look down on your neighbor, but a person with understanding knows when to keep quiet.

13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.

13A gossip goes around spreading secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

14Without wise leadership a nation falls, but having many advisors brings safety.

15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is secure.

15Anyone who guarantees a stranger's debt will surely suffer, but staying out of such deals is safer.

16A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches.

16A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men only gain wealth.

17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

17By being kind, you help yourself, but a cruel person brings trouble on their own body.

18The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

18Evil people earn deceptive profits, but those who plant seeds of goodness get a real reward.

19He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

19A person who stays focused on doing right will live, but anyone who chases after evil is headed for death.

20They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

20The LORD hates people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those who live with integrity.

21Thoughhandjoinin hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

21You can be sure that the wicked will be punished, but the children of the righteous will go free.

22Asa ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So isa fair woman that is without discretion.

22A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in the snout of a pig.

23The desire of the righteous is only good; Butthe expectation of the wicked is wrath.

23The desires of the righteous end in good results, but the hopes of the wicked only lead to anger.

24There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

24Some people give generously and end up with more, while others pinch pennies and end up poor.

25The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

25A generous person will prosper, and those who refresh others will be refreshed themselves.

26He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

26People curse anyone who hoards grain, but they bless the person who is willing to sell it.

27He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.

27If you search for good, you will find favor, but if you look for trouble, it will find you.

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

28Anyone who trusts in their money will fall, but the righteous will grow like healthy green leaves.

29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

29Those who bring trouble on their own families will end up with nothing but the wind, and the fool will become a servant to the wise.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.

30The fruit of a righteous life is a tree of life, and a wise person wins others over.

31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!

31If the righteous receive what they deserve here on earth, how much more will the wicked and the sinner!