Proverbs 11

Dishonest Scales

1 The Lord hates dishonest scales, but delights in accurate weights.

2 When pride shows up, shame follows; but wisdom rolls with the humble.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked get trapped by their own game.

4 Riches will not help on judgment day, but righteousness saves from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless clears their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful get caught by their lust.

7 When a wicked man dies, his hope dies with him; his power plan dies too.

8 The righteous get rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

9 With his mouth, the godless destroy their neighbor, but the righteous get saved through knowledge.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city celebrates; when the wicked fall, people cheer.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city rises, but by the mouth of the wicked it falls.

12 Whoever talks down on his neighbor lacks sense, but the wise hold their peace.

13 A gossip spills secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps it shut.

14 Without guidance, people fall; but with many advisors, victory stands.

15 He who puts up security for a stranger will suffer, but whoever avoids it stays safe.

16 A kind woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain riches.

17 A kind man benefits his own soul, but a cruel one harms himself.

18 The wicked earn fake pay, but whoever sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 Righteousness leads to life, but chasing evil leads to death.

20 The Lord detests those with crooked hearts, but delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21 The wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be saved.

22 A beautiful woman with no discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

23 The righteous desire good; the hope of the wicked brings wrath.

24 One person gives freely yet gains more; another withholds and ends up broke.

25 A generous soul will be blessed; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one hoarding grain, but blessing comes to the one who sells it.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil hunts down the wicked.

28 Whoever trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous flourish like leaves.

29 Whoever brings trouble to his family inherits wind, and the fool ends up serving the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

31 If the righteous get repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.