Proverbs 11:1–31

¹ Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. ² When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. ⁴ Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. ⁵ The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires. ⁷ When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes. ⁸ The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in. ⁹ With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. ¹⁰ When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. ¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. ¹² Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. ¹³ A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. ¹⁴ For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. ¹⁵ He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure. ¹⁶ A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. ¹⁷ A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. ¹⁸ The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. ¹⁹ Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death. ²⁰ The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. ²¹ Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape. ²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. ²³ The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. ²⁴ One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. ²⁵ A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ²⁶ The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it. ²⁷ He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it. ²⁸ He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. ²⁹ He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. ³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who…