Proverbs 11–12

11TH CHAPTER

The Value of Righteousness

¹Dishonest scales are disgusting to the Lord, 

but accurate weights are pleasing to him. 

²Arrogance comes, 

then comes shame, 

but wisdom remains with humble people. 

³Integrity guides decent people, 

but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin. 

⁴Riches are of no help on the day of fury, 

but righteousness saves from death. 

⁵The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, 

but wicked people fall by their own wickedness. 

⁶Decent people are saved by their righteousness, 

but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed. 

⁷At the death of a wicked person, hope vanishes. 

Moreover, his confidence in strength vanishes. 

⁸A righteous person is rescued from trouble, 

and a wicked person takes his place. 

⁹With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, 

but righteous people are rescued by knowledge. 

¹⁰When righteous people prosper, a city is glad. 

When wicked people die, there are songs of joy. 

¹¹With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, 

but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down. 

¹²A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, 

but a person who has understanding keeps quiet. 

¹³Whoever gossips gives away secrets, 

but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret. 

¹⁴A nation will fall when there is no direction, 

but with many advisers there is victory. 

¹⁵Whoever guarantees a stranger’s loan will get into trouble, 

but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure. 

¹⁶A gracious woman wins respect, 

but ruthless men gain riches. 

¹⁷A merciful person helps himself, 

but a cruel person hurts himself. 

¹⁸A wicked person earns dishonest wages, 

but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay. 

¹⁹As righteousness leads to life, 

so whoever pursues evil finds his own death. 

²⁰Devious people are disgusting to the Lord, 

but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent. 

²¹Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished, 

but the descendants of righteous people will escape. 

²²⸤Like⸥ a gold ring in a pig’s snout, 

⸤so⸥ is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste. 

²³The desire of righteous people ends only in good, 

but the hope of wicked people ends only in fury. 

²⁴One person spends freely and yet grows richer, 

while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer. 

²⁵A generous person will be made rich, 

and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.^a

²⁶People will curse the one who hoards grain, 

but a blessing will be upon the head of the one who sells it. 

²⁷Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will, 

but whoever looks for evil finds it. 

²⁸Whoever trusts his riches will fall, 

but righteous people will flourish like a green leaf. 

²⁹Whoever brings trouble upon his family inherits ⸤only⸥ wind, 

and that stubborn fool becomes a slave to the wise in heart. 

³⁰The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, 

and a winner of souls is wise. 

³¹If the righteous person is rewarded on earth, 

how much more the wicked person and the sinner! 

12TH CHAPTER

¹Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, 

but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal. 

²A good person obtains favor from the Lord, 

but the Lord condemns everyone who schemes. 

³A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness, 

and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved. 

⁴A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband, 

but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer. 

⁵The thoughts of righteous people are fair. 

The advice of wicked people is treacherous. 

⁶The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush, 

but the words^aof decent people rescue. 

⁷Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more, 

but the families of righteous people continue to stand. 

⁸A person will be praised based on his insight, 

but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised. 

⁹Better to be unimportant and have a slave 

than to act important and have nothing to eat. 

¹⁰A righteous person cares ⸤even⸥ about the life of his animals, 

but the compassion of wicked people is ⸤nothing but⸥ cruelty. 

¹¹Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, 

but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense. 

¹²A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⸤other⸥ evil people, 

but the roots of righteous people produce ⸤fruit⸥. 

¹³An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, 

but a righteous person escapes from trouble. 

¹⁴One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability. 

Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished. 

¹⁵A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, 

but a person who listens to advice is wise. 

¹⁶When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, 

but a sensible person hides the insult. 

¹⁷A truthful witness speaks honestly, 

but a lying witness speaks deceitfully. 

¹⁸Careless words stab like a sword, 

but the words of wise people bring healing. 

¹⁹The word of truth lasts forever, 

but lies last only a moment. 

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, 

but joy belongs to those who advise peace. 

²¹No ⸤lasting⸥ harm comes to a righteous person, 

but wicked people have lots of trouble. 

²²Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord, 

but honest people are his delight. 

²³A sensible person ⸤discreetly⸥ hides knowledge, 

but foolish minds preach stupidity. 

²⁴Hard-working hands gain control, 

but lazy hands do slave labor. 

²⁵A person’s anxiety will weigh him down, 

but an encouraging word makes him joyful. 

²⁶A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, 

but the path of wicked people leads others astray. 

²⁷A lazy hunter does not catchhis prey, 

but a hard-working person becomes wealthy. 

²⁸Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness. 

Eternal death is not along its path.