Proverbs 11

1Deceitful balances are an abomination to Yahweh, but a perfect stone is his delight.

2When pride arrives, then shame arrives, but wisdom is with the humble.

3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the betrayers destroys them.

4Riches offer no benefit on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless straightens his path, but the wicked falls by his wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are caught by their mischief.

7Hope perishes at a wicked man's death, and the hope of the unjust perishes.

8The righteous is rescued from distress, and the wicked comes in his place.

9The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous are delivered through knowledge.

10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11The blessing of the upright raises the city, but the mouth of the wicked tears it down.

12Whoever despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of discretion stays silent.

13A gossip reveals a confidence, but one of faithful spirit conceals the matter.

14Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but deliverance is in a multitude of counselors.

15Whoever pledges for a stranger will suffer harm, but he who hates pledges is secure.

16A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches.

17A kind man benefits his own soul, but a cruel man troubles his own flesh.

18The wicked earns deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness receives a faithful reward.

19As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil goes to his death.

20Perverse-hearted people are an abomination to Yahweh, but those blameless in their way are his delight.

21Hand in hand, the wicked do not go free, but the offspring of the righteous escape.

22A gold nose ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

23The righteous desire nothing but good; the hope of the wicked is wrath.

24One scatters and increases even more, but one who withholds more than is right comes only to lack.

25A generous soul will be enriched, and whoever refreshes will himself be refreshed also.

26People curse whoever withholds grain, but blessing rests on the seller's head.

27Whoever diligently seeks good obtains favor, but whoever seeks out evil—it will come upon him.

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

29The one who troubles his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30A righteous person's fruit is a tree of life, and one who gains souls is wise.

31Indeed, the righteous will be requited on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!