Shared Word Translation
Proverbs 11
Honest Scales
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
but an accurate weight is the LORD’s delight.
When pride comes,
disgrace comes,
but wisdom is with the humble.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous
destroys them.
Wealth does not profit
on the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless
makes their way straight,
but the wicked fall
by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are caught
by their own craving.
When the wicked die,
their hope perishes,
and the expectation placed in strength
comes to nothing.
The righteous are rescued from trouble,
and the wicked come into it instead.
With the mouth the godless destroy a neighbor,
but through knowledge
the righteous are rescued.
When it goes well with the righteous,
the city rejoices;
and when the wicked perish,
there is shouting.
By the blessing of the upright
a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked
it is torn down.
Whoever despises a neighbor
lacks sense,
but a person of understanding
keeps silent.
A gossip goes about revealing secrets,
but one faithful in spirit
conceals a matter.
Where there is no guidance,
a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors
there is safety.
Whoever becomes surety for a stranger
will surely suffer,
but whoever hates striking hands in pledge
is secure.
A gracious woman gains honor,
and ruthless people gain wealth.
A person of steadfast love
does good to their own life,
but the cruel
trouble their own flesh.
The wicked earn deceptive wages,
but whoever sows righteousness
receives a sure reward.
Whoever stands firm in righteousness
moves toward life,
but whoever pursues evil
moves toward death.
Those crooked in heart
are an abomination to the LORD,
but those whose way is blameless
are the LORD’s delight.
Be assured:
the wicked will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous
will escape.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman
who turns away from good judgment.
The desire of the righteous
ends only in good,
but the expectation of the wicked
in wrath.
One gives freely
and yet increases all the more;
another withholds what is right
and comes only to poverty.
A generous person will flourish,
and whoever gives water
will themselves be watered.
The people curse
the one who holds back grain,
but blessing is upon the head
of the one who sells it.
Whoever diligently seeks good
seeks favor,
but whoever searches for evil—
it will come to them.
Whoever trusts in wealth
will fall,
but the righteous will flourish
like a green leaf.
Whoever troubles their own household
will inherit wind,
and a fool will become servant
to the wise in heart.
The fruit of the righteous
is a tree of life,
and whoever gains lives
is wise.
If the righteous receive their due on earth,
how much more
the wicked and the sinner!