Proverbs, 11

1. A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight.

1. Yahweh detests a false scale but a just weight pleases him.

2. [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.

2. Disgrace always accompanies pride; wisdom resides with the humble.

3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

3. Honesty illumines the path of the upright; but the corrupt are confounded by their own evil.

4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

4. On the day of vengeance riches will prove useless but honest living will save from death.

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

5. The virtuous man's integrity smooths his way, while the wicked man falls by his own evil.

6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness.

6. Upright living saves the virtuous while evildoers are caught in their own greed.

7. When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.

7. The hope of the wicked is buried with them and their trust in riches is of no avail.

8. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

8. The upright will escape from distress; a wicked man will take his place.

9. An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

9. The godless man uses his mouth to destroy his neighbor but the virtuous use their wisdom to save themselves.

10. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.

10. The city rejoices in the good fortune of the upright and delights in the ruin of the wicked.

11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11. A city is raised on the blessing of honest men and destroyed by the mouth of the wicked.

12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

12. Whoever mocks his neighbor is a fool; the wise man chooses silence.

13. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

13. The gossip reveals secrets, but the trustworthy man keeps a secret.

14. Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

14. Lack of guidance leads to a nation's decline whereas numerous counselors bring success.

15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

15. He who stands bail for a stranger harms himself; he who avoids going bail will be safe.

16. A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong [men] retain riches.

16. A gracious woman wins renown, and bold men acquire riches.

17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but [he that is] cruel troubleth his own flesh.

17. The generous man does himself a favor while a cruel man wounds his own flesh.

18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.

18. The pay of the wicked is an illusion; while the upright man reaps a sure reward.

19. As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.

19. Upright living leads to life but the way of evil leads to death.

20. They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight.

20. Yahweh detests the corrupt of heart but loves those whose life is upright.

21. [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

21. Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, and the sons of the virtuous will be saved.

22. [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion.

22. The pretty woman without discretion is like a gold ring in the snout of a pig.

23. The desire of the righteous [is] only good: [but] the expectation of the wicked [is] wrath.

23. The upright desire nothing but good; the desires of the wicked are in vain.

24. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty.

24. Those who are generous increase their riches; others are misers and impoverish themselves.

25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

25. The warmhearted soul will prosper; he who waters will himself be watered.

26. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth [it].

26. He who hoards wheat is cursed by the people; blessed is he who sells his seeds.

27. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

27. Yahweh rewards the one who seeks good; but he who pursues evil will be caught by it.

28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

28. He who trusts in riches will stumble; while the upright will flourish like leaves.

29. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart.

29. Whoever mismanages his house will inherit only wind; the fool will end up a slave of the wise.

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

30. The fruit of the upright is a tree of life while the wicked are uprooted before their time.

31. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

31. If here on earth the upright get their due, how much more the wicked and the sinner!