Proverbs 11

11 <1> The Lord hates false scales, but he loves accurate weights.

<2> Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble.

<3> Good people are guided by their honesty, but crooks who lie and cheat will ruin themselves.

<4> Money is worthless when you face God's punishment, but living right will save you from death.

<5> Doing right makes life better for those who are good, but the wicked are destroyed by their own wicked ways.

<6> Doing right sets honest people free, but people who can't be trusted are trapped by their greed.

<7> When the wicked die, all their hopes are lost; everything they thought they could do comes to nothing.

<8> Good people escape from trouble, but the wicked come along and are trapped by it.

<9> With their words hypocrites[27] can destroy their neighbors. But with what they know, good people can escape.

<10> When good people are successful, the whole city is happy, and they all shout with joy when evil people are destroyed.

<11> Blessings from the honest people living in a city will make it great, but the things evil people say can destroy it.

<12> Stupid people say bad things about their neighbors.[28] Wise people know to be quiet.

<13> People who tell secrets about others cannot be trusted. Those who can be trusted keep quiet.

<14> A nation without wise leaders will fall. Many good advisors make a nation safe.

<15> You will be sorry if you promise to pay a stranger's debt. Refuse to make such promises and you will be safe.

<16> A kind and gentle woman gains respect, but violent men gain only wealth.

<17> People who are kind will be rewarded for their kindness, but cruel people will be rewarded with trouble.

<18> The work of evil people is all lies, but those who do right will receive a good reward.[29]

<19> People who do what is right are on their way to life, but those who always want to do wrong are on their way to death.

<20> The Lord hates those who love to do evil, but he is pleased with those who try to do right.

<21> The truth is, evil people will be punished, and good people will be set free.

<22> A beautiful woman without good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's nose.

<23> What good people want brings more good. What evil people want brings more trouble.

<24> Some people give freely and gain more; others refuse to give and end up with less.

<25> Give freely, and you will profit. Help others, and you will gain more for yourself.

<26> People curse a greedy man who refuses to sell his grain, but they bless a man who sells his grain to feed others.

<27> People are pleased with those who try to do good. Those who look for trouble will find it.

<28> Those who trust in their riches will fall like dead leaves, but good people will blossom.

<29> Those who cause trouble for their families will inherit nothing but the wind. A foolish person will end up as a servant to one who is wise.

<30> What good people produce is like a life-giving tree. Those who are wise give new life to others.[30]

<31> If good people are rewarded here on earth, then surely those who do evil will also get what they deserve.