Proverbs 11–12

11Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, ^u

but an accurate weight is His delight. ^v

²When pride comes, disgrace follows,

but with humility comes wisdom. ^w

³The integrity of the upright guides them, ^x

but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them. ^y

⁴Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,

but righteousness rescues from death. ^z

⁵The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,

but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

⁶The righteousness of the upright rescues them,

but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires. ^a

⁷When the wicked man dies,

his expectation comes to nothing,

and hope placed in wealth ^bcvanishes. ^d

⁸The righteous one is rescued from trouble;

in his place, the wicked one goes in. ^e

⁹With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,

but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

¹⁰When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices, ^f

and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

¹¹A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, ^g

but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked. ^h

¹²Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man with understanding keeps silent. ⁱ

¹³A gossip goes around revealing a secret,

but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. ^j

¹⁴Without guidance, people fall,

but with many counselors there is deliverance. ^k

¹⁵If someone puts up security for a stranger,

he will suffer for it, ^l

but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

¹⁶A gracious woman gains honor,

but violent ^mmen gain only riches.

¹⁷A kind man benefits himself, ⁿ

but a cruel man brings disaster on himself. ^o

¹⁸The wicked man earns an empty wage,

but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward. ^p

¹⁹Genuine righteousness leads to life, ^q

but pursuing evil leads to death. ^r

²⁰Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,

but those with blameless conduct are His delight. ^s

²¹Be assured ^tthat the wicked

will not go unpunished, ^u

but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

²²A beautiful woman who rejects good sense

is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. ^v

²³The desire of the righteous turns out well, ^w

but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath. ^x

²⁴One person gives freely,

yet gains more; ^y

another withholds what is right,

only to become poor. ^z

²⁵A generous person will be enriched, ^a

and the one who gives a drink of water

will receive water. ^b

²⁶People will curse ^canyone who hoards grain,

but a blessing will come to the one who sells it. ^d

²⁷The one who searches for what is good ^efinds favor,

but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him. ^f

²⁸Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, ^g

but the righteous will flourish like foliage. ^h

²⁹The one who brings ruin on his household ⁱ

will inherit the wind, ^j

and a fool will be a slave

to someone whose heart is wise.

³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, ^k

but violence ^ltakes lives.

³¹If the righteous will be repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and sinful. ^m

12Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but one who hates correction is stupid. ⁿ

²The good person obtains favor from the Lord, ^o

but He condemns a man who schemes. ^p

³Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous is immovable. ^q

⁴A capable wife ^ris her husband’s crown, ^s

but a wife who causes shame

is like rottenness in his bones. ^t

⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just,

but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

⁶The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, ^u

but the speech of the upright rescues them. ^v

⁷The wicked are overthrown and perish, ^w

but the house of the righteous will stand. ^x

⁸A man is praised for his insight,

but a twisted mind is despised.

⁹Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,

than to act important but have no food. ^y

¹⁰A righteous man cares about his animal’s health, ^z

but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, ^a

but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense. ^b

¹²The wicked desire what evil men have, ^c

but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

¹³An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, ^d

but a righteous one escapes from trouble. ^e

¹⁴A man will be satisfied with good

by the words of his mouth, ^f

and the work of a man’s hands will reward him. ^g

¹⁵A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, ^h

but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

¹⁶A fool’s displeasure is known at once,

but whoever ignores an insult is sensible. ⁱ

¹⁷Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,

but a false witness, deceit. ^j

¹⁸There is one who speaks rashly,

like a piercing sword; ^k

but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ^l

¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue, only a moment. ^m

²⁰Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy. ⁿ

²¹No disaster overcomes the righteous, ^o

but the wicked are full of misery.

²²Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, ^p

but faithful people are His delight. ^q

²³A shrewd person conceals knowledge,

but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity. ^r

²⁴The diligent hand will rule,

but laziness will lead to forced labor. ^s

²⁵Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

but a good word cheers it up. ^t

²⁶A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, ^u

but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. ^v

²⁷A lazy man doesn’t roast his game, ^w

but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious. ^x

²⁸There is life in the path of righteousness,

but another path leads to death. ^yz