Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are detestable before the Lord, but a righteous weight is acceptable to him.

2 Where arrogance enters, dishonor follows, but the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.

3 When a righteous person dies, he leaves regret behind, but the destruction of the ungodly is readily at hand and welcomed.

5 Righteousness cuts straight roads for the blameless, but ungodliness falls into injustice.

6 The righteousness of upright men rescues them, but lawbreakers are caught by their own destruction.

7 When a righteous man dies, his hope does not perish, but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

8 A righteous person escapes from a trap, and the ungodly person is handed over in his place.

9 The mouth of the ungodly is a trap for citizens, but the perception of the righteous leads to success.

10 A city succeeds through the good things of the righteous,

11 but it is torn down by the mouths of the ungodly.

12 Someone lacking good sense sneers at fellow citizens, but a discerning man remains quiet.

13 A double-tongued man reveals plans discussed in council, but one faithful in spirit conceals matters.

14 Those without guidance fall like leaves, but rescue is found in abundant counsel.

15 An evil person does harm whenever he meets a righteous person, and he hates the sound of security.

16 A gracious wife raises glory for her husband, but a woman who hates righteous things is a throne of dishonor. Lazy people come to lack wealth, but the energetic are supported by wealth.

17 A merciful man does good to his own soul, but the merciless person destroys his own body.

18 An ungodly person does unjust works, but the offspring of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19 A righteous son is born for life, but an ungodly person’s pursuit ends in death.

20 Twisted roads are detestable to the Lord, but everyone blameless in their ways is acceptable to him.

21 Someone who joins hands unjustly will not go unpunished, but whoever sows righteousness will receive faithful wages.

22 Like an earring in a pig’s snout is beauty in a woman with an evil mind.

23 Every desire of the righteous is good, but the hope of the ungodly will perish.

24 Some scatter what is theirs and make it increase; others gather and end up with less.

25 Every sincere soul is blessed, but a hot-tempered man is not honorable.

26 May the one who hoards grain leave it to the nations, but may blessing rest on the head of the one who shares it.

27 Whoever devises good things seeks good favor, but evil will overtake the one who searches for it.

28 Whoever trusts in wealth will fall, but whoever supports the righteous will spring up.

29 Whoever does not deal graciously with his own household will inherit wind, and a fool will serve a discerning person.

30 A tree of life grows from the fruit of righteousness, but the souls of lawbreakers are taken away before their time.

31 If the righteous person is saved only with difficulty, where will the ungodly person and the sinner appear?