Proverbs 11

1Dishonest scales are detestable to Yahweh, but an accurate weight is his delight.

2When pride comes, disgrace comes too, but with the humble is wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4Wealth is no help on the day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless makes their way straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own craving.

7When the wicked die, their hope perishes, and what they expected from their strength comes to nothing.

8The righteous are rescued from trouble, and the wicked go into it in their place.

9With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11By the blessing of the upright a city is lifted up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a person of understanding keeps quiet.

13A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a matter hidden.

14Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but with many counselors there is victory.

15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but whoever hates shaking hands on a pledge is secure.

16A gracious woman gains honor, and ruthless men gain riches.

17A kind man does good to himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.

18The wicked earn deceptive wages, but whoever sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19True righteousness leads to life, but whoever pursues evil goes to his death.

20Those with crooked hearts are detestable to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

21Be sure of this: the evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

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

24One person gives freely and gains even more; another holds back what he should give and ends up only in need.

25A generous person will be enriched, and whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26People curse the one who holds back grain, but blessing is on the head of the one who sells it.

27Whoever earnestly seeks good is seeking favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it.

28Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

29Whoever brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise in heart.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever wins people over is wise.

31If the righteous are repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!