Proverbs 11-12

Proverbs 11

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!

Proverbs 12

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.