Proverbs 11
1 A false balance is detestable to the LORD, but an accurate weight pleases him.
2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows; wisdom is with the humble.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the treachery of the unfaithful destroys them.
4 Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their way straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are caught by their own greed.
7 When a wicked person dies, hope perishes; the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.
8 The righteous are rescued from trouble, and the wicked take their place.
9 With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is raised up, but by the words of the wicked it is torn down.
12 Whoever despises a neighbor lacks sense, but a person of understanding keeps silent.
13 A gossip reveals secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 Without guidance a people fall, but there is safety in many advisers.
15 Whoever guarantees a stranger’s debt will suffer for it, but whoever refuses to shake hands on a pledge is secure.
16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain wealth.
17 A person of kindness benefits himself, but the cruel bring trouble on their own flesh.
18 The wicked earn a deceptive wage, but those who sow righteousness receive a sure reward.
19 Righteousness leads to life, but whoever pursues evil heads toward death.
20 Those with crooked hearts are detestable to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless please him.
21 Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will escape.
22 A gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous is only for good, but the hope of the wicked is wrath.
24 One person gives freely and gains even more; another withholds more than is right and ends up in poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 The people curse whoever hoards grain, but blessing is on the head of the one who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good finds favor, but whoever pursues evil will have evil come upon him.
28 Whoever trusts in his wealth will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
29 Whoever brings trouble on his own household inherits the wind, and a fool will serve the wise in heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever wins lives is wise.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app