Proverbs 11 - Modern English Version

¹ A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

³ The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous 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, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their desires.

⁷ When a wicked man dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of the iniquitous comes to nothing.

⁸ The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.

⁹ The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is singing.

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

¹² He who is devoid of wisdom derides his neighbor, but a man of intelligence remains silent.

¹³ A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.

¹⁴ Where there is no counsel, the nation falls, but in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

¹⁵ He who guarantees loans for a stranger will suffer, but he who hates pledging collateral is secure.

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

¹⁷ The merciful man does good for his own soul, but a cruel man troubles his own flesh.

¹⁸ The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

¹⁹ As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil will find death.

²⁰ The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their ways are His delight.

²¹ Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished, but the sons of the righteous will be delivered.

²² Like a ring of gold in the snout of a pig is a woman of beauty, who shows no discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of transgressors, only in wrath.

²⁴ One gives freely, and yet increases; another withholds what is due, but only suffers want.

²⁵ The generous soul will prosper, and he who waters will himself be watered.

²⁶ He who withholds grain, the people will curse, but to him who will sell it, a blessing will be given.

²⁷ He who diligently seeks good procures favor, but to him who seeks mischief, evil will come.

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

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

³⁰ As the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, so he who wins souls is wise.

³¹ If the righteous will be repaid on the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!