Proverbs 11 (Today's New International Version)

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales,¹ but accurate weights find favor with him.² 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,³ but with humility comes wisdom.⁴ 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.⁵ 4 Wealth⁶ is worthless in the day of wrath,⁷ but righteousness delivers from death.⁸ 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,⁹ but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.¹⁰ 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.¹¹ 7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;¹² all the promise of^a their power comes to nothing.¹³ 8 The righteous are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.¹⁴ 9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.¹⁵ 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;¹⁶ when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.¹⁷ 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,¹⁸ but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.¹⁹ 12 Those who have no sense deride their neighbors,²⁰ but those who have understanding hold their tongues.²¹ 13 Gossips betray a confidence,²² but the trustworthy keep a secret.²³ 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,²⁴ but victory is won through many advisers.²⁵ 15 Whoever puts up security²⁶ for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.²⁷ 16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,²⁸ but ruthless men gain only wealth. 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 18 The wicked earn deceptive wages, but those who sow righteousness reap a sure reward.²⁹ 19 Truly the righteous attain life,³⁰ but those who pursue evil go to their death.³¹ 20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse,³² but he delights³³ in those whose ways are blameless.³⁴ 21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.³⁵ 22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous³⁶ person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.³⁷ 26 People curse those who hoard grain, but they pray God's blessing on those who are willing to sell. 27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to those who search for it.³⁸ 28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,³⁹ but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.⁴⁰ 29 Those who bring ruin on their families will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.⁴¹ 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,⁴² and those who win souls are wise. 31 If the righteous receive their due⁴³ on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!