Proverbs 11-14

Holman Christian Standard Bible

11 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord,^(A)
but an accurate weight is His delight.^(B)

² When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.^(C)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,^(D)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.^(E)

⁴ Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.^(F)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.^(G)

⁷ When the wicked man dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth^[a][b] vanishes.^(H)

⁸ The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.^(I)

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

¹⁰ When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,^(J)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

¹¹ A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,^(K)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.^(L)

¹² Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.^(M)

¹³ A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.^(N)

¹⁴ Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.^(O)

¹⁵ If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,^(P)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

¹⁶ A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent^[c] men gain only riches.

¹⁷ A kind man benefits himself,^(Q)
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.^(R)

¹⁸ The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.^(S)

¹⁹ Genuine righteousness leads to life,^(T)
but pursuing evil leads to death.^(U)

²⁰ Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.^(V)

²¹ Be assured^[d] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,^(W)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

²² A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.^(X)

²³ The desire of the righteous turns out well,^(Y)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.^(Z)

²⁴ One person gives freely,
yet gains more;^(AA)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.^(AB)

²⁵ A generous person will be enriched,^(AC)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.^(AD)

²⁶ People will curse^(AE) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.^(AF)

²⁷ The one who searches for what is good^(AG) finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.^(AH)

²⁸ Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,^(AI)
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.^(AJ)

²⁹ The one who brings ruin on his household^(AK)
will inherit the wind,^(AL)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,^(AM)
but violence^[e] takes lives.

³¹ If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.^(AN)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.^(AO)

² The good person obtains favor from the Lord,^(AP)
but He condemns a man who schemes.^(AQ)

³ Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.^(AR)

⁴ A capable wife^[f] is her husband’s crown,^(AS)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.^(AT)

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,^(AU)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(AV)

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and perish,^(AW)
but the house of the righteous will stand.^(AX)

⁸ A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.^(AY)

¹⁰ A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,^(AZ)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ The one who works his land will have plenty of food,^(BA)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.^(BB)

¹² The wicked desire what evil men have,^[g]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

¹³ An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,^(BC)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.^(BD)

¹⁴ A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,^(BE)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.^(BF)

¹⁵ A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,^(BG)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

¹⁶ A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.^(BH)

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.^(BI)

¹⁸ There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;^(BJ)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(BK)

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.^(BL)

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.^(BM)

²¹ No disaster overcomes the righteous,^(BN)
but the wicked are full of misery.

²² Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,^(BO)
but faithful people are His delight.^(BP)

²³ A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.^(BQ)

²⁴ The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.^(BR)

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.^(BS)

²⁶ A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,^[h]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.^(BT)

²⁷ A lazy man doesn’t roast his game,^(BU)
but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.^(BV)

²⁸ There is life in the path of righteousness,
but another path leads to death.^[i](BW)

13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

² From the words of his mouth,
a man will enjoy good things,^(BX)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.^(BY)

³ The one who guards his mouth protects his life;^(BZ)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.^(CA)

⁴ The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.^(CB)

⁵ The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.

⁶ Righteousness guards people of integrity,^[j]
but wickedness undermines the sinner.^(CC)

⁷ One man pretends to be rich but has nothing;^(CD)
another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.^(CE)

⁸ Riches are a ransom for a man’s life,^(CF)
but a poor man hears no threat.

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,^(CG)
but the lamp of the wicked is put out.^(CH)

¹⁰ Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,^(CI)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

¹¹ Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,^(CJ)
but whoever earns it through labor^[k] will multiply it.^(CK)

¹² Delayed hope makes the heart sick,
but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.^(CL)

¹³ The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,^(CM)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.^(CN)

¹⁴ A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life,^(CO)
turning people away from the snares of death.^(CP)

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor,^(CQ)
but the way of the treacherous never changes.^[l]

¹⁶ Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.^(CR)

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.^(CS)

¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.^(CT)

¹⁹ Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil^(CU)
is an abomination to fools.

²⁰ The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

²¹ Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.^(CV)

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his^[m] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.^(CW)

²³ The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.

²⁴ The one who will not use the rod hates his son,^(CX)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.^(CY)

²⁵ A righteous man eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.^(CZ)

14 Every wise woman builds her house,^(DA)
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.^(DB)

² Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,^(DC)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.^(DD)

³ The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,^[n]
but the lips of the wise protect them.^(DE)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,^[o]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.^(DF)

⁶ A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.^(DG)

⁸ The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

⁹ Fools mock at making restitution,^[p]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will stand.^[q](DH)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,^(DI)
but its end is the way to death.^(DJ)

¹³ Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.^(DK)

¹⁴ The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good man, what his deeds deserve.^(DL)

¹⁵ The inexperienced one believes anything,^(DM)
but the sensible one watches^[r] his steps.

¹⁶ A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,^(DN)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.^[s]

¹⁷ A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.^(DO)

¹⁸ The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ A poor man is hated even by his neighbor,^(DP)
but there are many who love the rich.^(DQ)

²¹ The one who despises his neighbor sins,^(DR)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.^(DS)

²² Don’t those who plan evil go astray?^(DT)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.^(DU)

²³ There is profit in all hard work,
but endless talk^[t] leads only to poverty.^(DV)

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

²⁵ A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.^(DW)

²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.^(DX)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.^(DY)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

²⁹ A patient person shows great understanding,^(DZ)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

³⁰ A tranquil heart is life to the body,^(EA)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.^(EB)

³¹ The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,^(EC)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.^(ED)

³² The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,^(EE)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.^(EF)

³³ Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;^(EG)
she is known^[u] even among fools.

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.^(EH)

³⁵ A king favors a wise servant,^(EI)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.