Proverbs 11:1-31

  • Wisdom is with the modest ones (2)

  • The apostate brings others to ruin (9)

  • “Success through many advisers” (14)

  • The generous person will prosper (25)

  • One trusting in his riches will fall (28)

11  Dishonest* scales are detestable to Jehovah,But an accurate weight* brings pleasure to him.+   When presumptuousness comes, dishonor will follow,+But wisdom is with the modest ones.+   The integrity of the upright is what guides them,+But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them.+   Wealth* will be of no benefit on the day of fury,+But righteousness is what will rescue from death.+   The righteousness of the blameless one makes his path straight,But the wicked one will fall because of his own wickedness.+   The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,+But the treacherous will be caught by their own desires.+   When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;And expectations based on his power also perish.+   The righteous one is rescued from distress,And the wicked one takes his place.+   By his mouth the apostate* brings his neighbor to ruin,But by knowledge the righteous are rescued.+ 10  The goodness of the righteous makes a city rejoice,And when the wicked perish, there is a joyful cry.+ 11  Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,+But the mouth of the wicked tears it down.+ 12  Whoever is lacking good sense* shows contempt for* his neighbor,But the man of true discernment remains silent.+ 13  A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk,+But the trustworthy person* keeps a confidence.* 14  When there is no skillful direction,* the people fall,But there is success* through many advisers.*+ 15  Whoever guarantees a loan* for a stranger is sure to fare badly,+But whoever avoids* shaking hands in a pledge will be secure. 16  A gracious* woman acquires glory,+But ruthless men seize riches. 17  A kind man* benefits himself,*+But the cruel person brings trouble* on himself.+ 18  The wicked one earns deceptive wages,+But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward.+ 19  The one standing firmly for righteousness is in line for life,+But the one chasing after evil is in line for death. 20  Those crooked at heart are detestable to Jehovah,+But those whose way is blameless bring pleasure to him.+ 21  Be assured of this:* An evil person will not go unpunished,+But the children of the righteous will escape. 22  Like a gold ring in the snout of a pigIs a beautiful woman who rejects good sense. 23  The desire of the righteous leads to good,+But what the wicked hope for leads to fury. 24  One gives generously* and ends up with more;+Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty.+ 25  The generous person* will prosper,*+And whoever refreshes* others will himself be refreshed.+ 26  The people will curse the one who withholds grain,But they will bless the one who sells it. 27  The one who diligently seeks to do good seeks favor,+But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him.+ 28  The one trusting in his riches will fall,+But the righteous will flourish like the foliage.+ 29  Anyone who brings trouble* on his household will inherit the wind,+And the fool will be a servant to the wisehearted one. 30  The fruitage of the righteous one is a tree of life,+And the one who wins souls* is wise.+ 31  If, indeed, the righteous one on earth is rewarded,How much more the wicked one and the sinner!+

Footnotes

Or “a complete stone weight.”
Or “Cheating.”
Or “Valuable things.”
Or “godless man.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “despises.”
Lit., “the one faithful in spirit.”
Lit., “covers over a matter.”
Or “wise guidance.”
Or “salvation.”
Or “counselors.”
Lit., “hates.”
Or “puts up security.”
Or “charming.”
Or “A man of loyal love.”
Or “does good to his soul.”
Or “disgrace.”
Lit., “Hand to hand.”
Lit., “scatters.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “will be made fat.”
Lit., “freely waters.”
Or “disgrace.”