Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.16 A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches.17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.18 The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.19 As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their ways are His delight.21  Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.22  As a ring of gold in a swines snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. 28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

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.