Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are detestable to the  Lord,  * 11:1 Dt 25:13–16; Pr 20:10,23; Mc 6:10–11

but an accurate weight is his delight.  * 11:1 Lv 19:36; Pr 16:11; Ezk 45:10

2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,

but with humility comes wisdom.  * 11:2 Pr 15:33; 18:12; 22:4; 29:23

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,  * 11:3 Pr 13:6

but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.  * 11:3 Pr 11:17–19; 19:3

4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,

but righteousness rescues from death.  * 11:4 Gn 7:1; Pr 10:2; 11:28; 12:28; Zph 1:18

5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,

but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,

but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.  * 11:6 Ps 7:15–16; Pr 5:22; Ec 10:8

7 When the wicked person dies,

his expectation comes to nothing,

and hope placed in wealth  * 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly,* 11:7 Or strength vanishes.  * 11:7 Jb 8:13; Pr 10:28; 24:14

8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;

in his place, the wicked one goes in.  * 11:8 Pr 21:18

9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,

but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices;  * 11:10 Pr 28:12

when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.  * 11:10 2Ch 21:20

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,  * 11:11 Pr 14:34

but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.  * 11:11 Pr 14:1; 29:4

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,

but a person with understanding keeps silent.  * 11:12 Pr 14:21

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,

but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.  * 11:13 Lv 19:16; Pr 10:18; 20:19; 1Tm 5:13

14 Without guidance, a people will fall,

but with many counselors there is deliverance.  * 11:14 Pr 15:22; 20:18; 24:6

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,

he will suffer for it,  * 11:15 Pr 6:1–2; 17:18; 22:26

but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,

but violent  * 11:16 Or ruthless people gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,  * 11:17 Mt 5:7; 25:34–36

but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.  * 11:17 Pr 11:3

18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,

but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.  * 11:18 Pr 10:2–3; Hs 10:12; Gl 6:8–9; Jms 3:18

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,  * 11:19 Pr 10:16–17; 19:23

but pursuing evil leads to death.  * 11:19 Rm 6:23; Jms 1:15

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the  Lord,

but those with blameless conduct are his delight.  * 11:20 1Ch 29:17; Ps 119:1; Pr 3:32; 12:22; 13:6; 15:8–9,26

21 Be assured  * 11:21 Lit Hand to hand that a wicked person

will not go unpunished,  * 11:21 Pr 16:5

but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense

is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.  * 11:22 Gn 24:47

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,  * 11:23 Ps 37:4–5; Pr 10:24; Jr 29:11

but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.  * 11:23 Pr 10:28; 11:7; Rm 2:8–9

24 One person gives freely,

yet gains more;  * 11:24 Ps 112:9; Pr 11:25; 21:26

another withholds what is right,

only to become poor.  * 11:24 Pr 13:7; 22:16; 28:8,27

25 A generous person will be enriched,  * 11:25 Pr 3:9–10; 2Co 9:6–11

and the one who gives a drink of water

will receive water.  * 11:25 Mt 5:7; 10:42

26 People will curse  * 11:26 Pr 24:24 anyone who hoards grain,

but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.  * 11:26 Gn 42:6

27 The one who searches for what is good  * 11:27 Php 4:8 seeks favor,

but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.  * 11:27 Est 7:10; Ps 7:15–16

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,  * 11:28 Ps 49:6

but the righteous will flourish like foliage.  * 11:28 Ps 1:3; 92:12; Pr 11:4; 14:11; Jr 17:8

29 The one who brings ruin on his household  * 11:29 Pr 15:27

will inherit the wind,  * 11:29 Ec 5:16

and a fool will be a slave

to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,  * 11:30 Pr 3:18

but a cunning person takes lives.  * 11:30 Gn 3:1

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and sinful.  * 11:31 Dt 32:25; Pr 13:21; 1Pt 4:18