Proverbs 11–13

1Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

2When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.

4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.

7When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.

8The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.

9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.

13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

15He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.

16A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

18The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

19Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.

21Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.

24One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.

25A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

27He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

28He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

31If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.

3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

9Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.

10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.

14By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

24The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.

26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.

28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.

3He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

5The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

6Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.

7One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

11Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.

16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

18Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.

20He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

24He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

25A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.