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Proverbs 11

A false balance is disgusting to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, shame follows; but wisdom is with the humble. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of transgressors destroys them. Riches are no use in the day of anger, but righteousness delivers from death.

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Honest weights

A false balance is disgusting to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, shame follows; but wisdom is with the humble. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of transgressors destroys them. Riches are no use in the day of anger, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the upright makes his way straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but transgressors are caught by their own greed. When a wicked man dies, his expectation dies with him, and the hope of unjust men perishes. The righteous are delivered out of trouble, and the wicked take their place. A hypocrite destroys his neighbour with his mouth, but through knowledge the righteous are delivered. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but the mouth of the wicked tears it down. Whoever lacks wisdom despises his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets, but a faithful spirit keeps a matter hidden. Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in a multitude of counsellors there is safety. Whoever guarantees a stranger's debt will suffer for it, but whoever refuses such pledges is safe.

A dishonest balance is disgusting to the Lord, but an honest weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes shame. But with the humble is wisdom. The wholeness of the upright will guide them, but the twistedness of the ones who deal treacherously will wreck them. Riches are no use in the day of anger, but righteousness rescues from death. The righteousness of the whole man will make his way straight, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will rescue them, but the ones who deal treacherously will be caught in their own greed. When a wicked man dies, what he was waiting for will be gone. And the hope of unjust men comes to nothing. The righteous is rescued out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his place. A godless man wrecks his neighbour with his mouth, but the righteous will be rescued through knowledge. When it goes well with the righteous, the town celebrates. And when the wicked are wrecked, there's shouting. By the blessing of the upright the town is lifted up, but it's overturned by the mouth of the wicked. The one with no wisdom looks down on his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace. A tale-bearer gives away secrets, but the one with a faithful spirit hides the matter. Where there's no counsel, the people fall. But in the crowd of counsellors there's safety. The one who goes surety for a stranger will be in real trouble, and the one who hates going surety is safe.

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

1

A false balance is disgusting to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

Plain English

A dishonest balance is disgusting to the Lord, but an honest weight is his delight.

King James Version, 1611

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

2

When pride comes, shame follows; but wisdom is with the humble.

Plain English

When pride comes, then comes shame. But with the humble is wisdom.

King James Version, 1611

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of transgressors destroys them.

Plain English

The wholeness of the upright will guide them, but the twistedness of the ones who deal treacherously will wreck them.

King James Version, 1611

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4

Riches are no use in the day of anger, but righteousness delivers from death.

Plain English

Riches are no use in the day of anger, but righteousness rescues from death.

King James Version, 1611

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5

The righteousness of the upright makes his way straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

Plain English

The righteousness of the whole man will make his way straight, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

King James Version, 1611

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but transgressors are caught by their own greed.

Plain English

The righteousness of the upright will rescue them, but the ones who deal treacherously will be caught in their own greed.

King James Version, 1611

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7

When a wicked man dies, his expectation dies with him, and the hope of unjust men perishes.

Plain English

When a wicked man dies, what he was waiting for will be gone. And the hope of unjust men comes to nothing.

King James Version, 1611

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8

The righteous are delivered out of trouble, and the wicked take their place.

Plain English

The righteous is rescued out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his place.

King James Version, 1611

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9

A hypocrite destroys his neighbour with his mouth, but through knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Plain English

A godless man wrecks his neighbour with his mouth, but the righteous will be rescued through knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Plain English

When it goes well with the righteous, the town celebrates. And when the wicked are wrecked, there's shouting.

King James Version, 1611

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 a city is exalted, but the mouth of the wicked tears it down.

Plain English

By the blessing of the upright the town is lifted up, but it's overturned by the mouth of the wicked.

King James Version, 1611

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12

Whoever lacks wisdom despises his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

Plain English

The one with no wisdom looks down on his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

King James Version, 1611

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13

A talebearer reveals secrets, but a faithful spirit keeps a matter hidden.

Plain English

A tale-bearer gives away secrets, but the one with a faithful spirit hides the matter.

King James Version, 1611

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Plain English

Where there's no counsel, the people fall. But in the crowd of counsellors there's safety.

King James Version, 1611

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15

Whoever guarantees a stranger's debt will suffer for it, but whoever refuses such pledges is safe.

Plain English

The one who goes surety for a stranger will be in real trouble, and the one who hates going surety is safe.

King James Version, 1611

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

The generous soul

A gracious woman keeps honour, and strong men keep riches. A merciful man does good to his own soul, but a cruel man troubles his own flesh. The wicked earn deceptive wages, but whoever sows righteousness receives a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, whoever pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Those with a perverse heart are disgusting to the LORD, but those upright in their way are his delight. Though hand joins in hand, the wicked won't escape punishment, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered. Like a jewel of gold in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is anger. One person gives freely and still gains more; another holds back more than is right and ends up in want. A generous soul will prosper, and whoever waters others will be watered himself. People curse the one who withholds grain, but blessing rests on the head of the one who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favour, but whoever seeks mischief will have it come back on him. Whoever trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a branch. Whoever troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and a fool will become servant to the wise in heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever wins souls is wise. If even the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

A gracious woman keeps honour, and strong men keep riches. The merciful man does good to his own soul, but the cruel man troubles his own flesh. The wicked works a false work, but the one who sows righteousness will get a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, so the one who chases evil chases it to his own death. The ones with a twisted heart are disgusting to the Lord, but the ones who are upright in their way are his delight. Though hand joins in hand, the wicked won't go unpunished. But the offspring of the righteous will be rescued. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, that's what a beautiful woman is who has no sense. What the righteous want is only good, but what the wicked can look for is anger. There's the one who scatters and still grows more, and the one who holds back more than he should, but it only comes to want. The one who's generous will be made fat, and the one who waters will be watered himself. The one who holds back grain, the people will curse him. But a blessing will be on the head of the one who sells it. The one who looks hard for good gets favour, but the one who looks for trouble, it'll come to him. The one who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will grow like a branch. The one who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise in heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who wins souls is wise. Look — the righteous will be paid back on the earth. How much more the wicked and the sinner.

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

16

A gracious woman keeps honour, and strong men keep riches.

King James Version, 1611

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

17

A merciful man does good to his own soul, but a cruel man troubles his own flesh.

Plain English

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but the cruel man troubles his own flesh.

King James Version, 1611

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18

The wicked earn deceptive wages, but whoever sows righteousness receives a sure reward.

Plain English

The wicked works a false work, but the one who sows righteousness will get a sure reward.

King James Version, 1611

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19

As righteousness leads to life, whoever pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

Plain English

As righteousness leads to life, so the one who chases evil chases it to his own death.

King James Version, 1611

As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20

Those with a perverse heart are disgusting to the LORD, but those upright in their way are his delight.

Plain English

The ones with a twisted heart are disgusting to the Lord, but the ones who are upright in their way are his delight.

King James Version, 1611

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 joins in hand, the wicked won't escape punishment, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

Plain English

Though hand joins in hand, the wicked won't go unpunished. But the offspring of the righteous will be rescued.

King James Version, 1611

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22

Like a jewel of gold in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

Plain English

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, that's what a beautiful woman is who has no sense.

King James Version, 1611

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 anger.

Plain English

What the righteous want is only good, but what the wicked can look for is anger.

King James Version, 1611

The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24

One person gives freely and still gains more; another holds back more than is right and ends up in want.

Plain English

There's the one who scatters and still grows more, and the one who holds back more than he should, but it only comes to want.

King James Version, 1611

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25

A generous soul will prosper, and whoever waters others will be watered himself.

Plain English

The one who's generous will be made fat, and the one who waters will be watered himself.

King James Version, 1611

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26

People curse the one who withholds grain, but blessing rests on the head of the one who sells it.

Plain English

The one who holds back grain, the people will curse him. But a blessing will be on the head of the one who sells it.

King James Version, 1611

He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27

Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favour, but whoever seeks mischief will have it come back on him.

Plain English

The one who looks hard for good gets favour, but the one who looks for trouble, it'll come to him.

King James Version, 1611

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28

Whoever trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a branch.

Plain English

The one who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will grow like a branch.

King James Version, 1611

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29

Whoever troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and a fool will become servant to the wise in heart.

Plain English

The one who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise in heart.

King James Version, 1611

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 whoever wins souls is wise.

Plain English

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who wins souls is wise.

King James Version, 1611

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31

If even the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Plain English

Look — the righteous will be paid back on the earth. How much more the wicked and the sinner.

King James Version, 1611

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.