Proverbs 11

Chapter 11

1 The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.2 Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.3 Honesty guides good people;
dishonesty destroys treacherous people.4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment,
but right living can save you from death.5 The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.6 The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.8 The godly are rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous.10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;
they shout for joy when the wicked die.11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper,
but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.13 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.16 A gracious woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.17 Your kindness will reward you,
but your cruelty will destroy you.18 Evil people get rich for the moment,
but the reward of the godly will last.19 Godly people find life;
evil people find death.20 The LORD detests people with crooked hearts,
but he delights in those with integrity.21 Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free.22 A beautiful woman who lacks discretion
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.23 The godly can look forward to a reward,
while the wicked can expect only judgment.24 Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.26 People curse those who hoard their grain,
but they bless the one who sells in time of need.27 If you search for good, you will find favor;
but if you search for evil, it will find you!28 Trust in your money and down you go!
But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.
The fool will be a servant to the wise.30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;
a wise person wins friends.t31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth,
what will happen to wicked sinners?t

PROVERBS 11

Watch //What You Say and Do

1 The [Lord] hates anyone
who cheats,
but he likes everyone
who is honest.

2 Too much pride
can put you to shame.
It's wiser to be humble.

3 If you do the right thing,
honesty will be your guide.
But if you are crooked,
you will be trapped
by your own dishonesty.

4 When God is angry,
money won't help you.
Obeying God is the only way
to be saved from death.

5 If you are truly good,
you will do right;
if you are wicked,
you will be destroyed
by your own sin.

6 Honesty can keep you safe,
but if you can't be trusted,
you trap yourself.

7 When the wicked die,
their hopes die with them.

8 Trouble goes right past
the [Lord]'s people
and strikes the wicked.

9 Dishonest people use gossip
to destroy their neighbors;
good people are protected
by their own good sense.

10 When honest people prosper
and the wicked disappear,
the whole city celebrates.

11 Good people bring prosperity
to their city,
but deceitful liars
can destroy a city.

12 It's stupid to say bad things
about your neighbors.
If you are sensible,
you will keep quiet.

13 A gossip tells everything,
but a true friend
will keep a secret.

14  t A city without wise leaders
will end up in ruin;
a city with many wise leaders
will be kept safe.

15 It's a dangerous thing
to guarantee payment
for someone's debts.
Don't do it!

16 A gracious woman
will be respected,
but a ruthless man
will only get rich.

17 Kindness is rewarded—
but if you are cruel,
you hurt yourself.

18 Meanness gets you nowhere,
but goodness is rewarded.

19 Always do the right thing,
and you will live;
keep on doing wrong,
and you will die.

20 The [Lord] hates sneaky people,
but he likes everyone
who lives right.

21 You can be sure of this:
All crooks will be punished,
but God's people won't.

22 A beautiful woman
who acts foolishly
is like a gold ring
on the snout of a pig.

23 Good people want what is best,
but troublemakers
hope to stir up trouble.t

24 Sometimes you can become rich
by being generous
or poor by being greedy.

25 Generosity will be rewarded:
Give a cup of water,
and you will receive
a cup of water in return.

26 Charge too much for grain,
and you will be cursed;
sell it at a fair price,
and you will be praised.

27 Try hard to do right,
and you will win friends;
go looking for trouble,
and you will find it.

28 Trust in your wealth,
and you will be a failure,
but God's people will prosper
like healthy plants.

29 Fools who cause trouble
in the family
won't inherit a thing.
They will end up as slaves
of someone with good sense.

30 Live right, and you will eat
from the life-giving tree.
And if you act wisely,
others will follow.t

31  t If good people are rewardedt
here on this earth,
all who are cruel and mean
will surely be punished.