Proverbs 11

1 A false balance {is} abomination to the LORD: but a just weight {is} his delight. {A false...: Heb. Balances of deceit} {just...: Heb. perfect stone} 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. {direct: Heb. rectify} 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. {void...: Heb. destitute of heart} 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. {A talebearer: Heb. He that walketh, being a talebearer} 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. {smart: Heb. be sore broken} {suretiship: Heb. those that strike hands} 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. {is without: Heb. departeth from} 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. {liberal...: Heb. soul of blessing} 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. {winneth: Heb. taketh} 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.