Proverbs 11

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

2Where pride entereth, there dishonour doth also. But the mouth of the lowly speaketh wisdom.

3A righteous man dying left sorrow behind him; but the destruction of the wicked cometh suddenly and giveth joy.

4Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver even from death.

5Righteousness maketh spotless ways straight: but wickedness falleth by iniquity.

6The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught by their destruction.

7When a righteous man dieth, hope is not lost: but the boast of the wicked perisheth.

8A righteous man escapeth a snare: and in his stead the wicked is delivered up.

9In the mouth of the wicked is a snare for citizens: but the knowledge of the righteous conduceth to prosperity.

10By the good acts of the just a city flourished:

11At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted; but by the mouth of the wicked it was overthrown.

12A man void of wisdom derideth fellow citizens: but a prudent man enjoyeth quiet.

13A double-tongued man revealeth cabinet counsels: but one of a faithful spirit concealeth matters.

14They, who have no government, fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15A wicked man doth hurt, when he associateth with the just: but he hateth the sound of safety.

16A virtuous woman raiseth honour for her husband: but a woman who hateth righteousness is a throne of disgrace. The slothful though rich, become indigent: but the diligent are supported with wealth.

17A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but the merciless destroyeth his own body.

18A wicked man doth works of injustice: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19A righteous son is born to live; but the pursuit of the wicked tendeth to death.

20Crooked ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all who are blameless in their ways are His delight.

21He who wickedly joineth hand to hand shall not go unpunished: but he who soweth righteousness shall receive a just reward.

22As a jewel in the snout of a swine; so is beauty in a woman void of discretion.

23The desire of the righteous is altogether good; but the hope of the wicked shall perish.

24There are some who, distributing their substance, make it more: and some who hoard and make it less.

25A soul is blessed which is altogether sincere: but a passionate man is not respected.

26May he who withholdeth corn leave it to the nations! But blessing be on the head of him who distributeth!

27The contriver of good things seeketh favour: but him, who seeketh mischief, mischief shall overtake.

28He who trusteth in riches shall fall; but he who helpeth the righteous shall flourish.

29He who hath no cover for his own house shall inherit the wind; and a fool shall be a servant to the prudent.

30From the fruit of righteousness springeth up the tree of life: but the lives of transgressors are prematurely destroyed.

31If the righteous man scarcely escapeth, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?