Proverbs 11
New Century Version
11 The Lord hates dishonest scales,
but he is pleased with honest weights.
2 Pride leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.
3 Good people will be guided by honesty;
dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.
4 Riches will not help when it’s time to die,
but right living will save you from death.
5 The goodness of the innocent makes life easier,
but the wicked will be destroyed by their wickedness.
6 Doing right brings freedom to honest people,
but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7 When the wicked die, hope dies with them;
their hope in riches will come to nothing.
8 The good person is saved from trouble;
it comes to the wicked instead.
9 With words an evil person can destroy a neighbor,
but a good person will escape by being resourceful.
10 When good people succeed, the city is happy.
When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.
11 Good people bless and build up their city,
but the wicked can destroy it with their words.
12 People without good sense find fault with their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.
13 Gossips can’t keep secrets,
but a trustworthy person can.
14 Without leadership a nation falls,
but lots of good advice will save it.
15 Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16 A kind woman gets respect,
but cruel men get only wealth.
17 Kind people do themselves a favor,
but cruel people bring trouble on themselves.
18 An evil person really earns nothing,
but a good person will surely be rewarded.
19 Those who are truly good will live,
but those who chase after evil will die.
20 The Lord hates those with evil hearts
but is pleased with those who are innocent.
21 Evil people will certainly be punished,
but those who do right will be set free.
22 A beautiful woman without good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 Those who do right only wish for good,
but the wicked can expect to be defeated by God’s anger.
24 Some people give much but get back even more.
Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.
25 Whoever gives to others will get richer;
those who help others will themselves be helped.
26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness,
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined,
but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
will be left with nothing but the wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 A good person gives life to others;
the wise person teaches others how to live.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth,
and the wicked and the sinners will be punished.
Proverbs 11
King James Version
11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
