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Proverbs chapter 11

English Standard Version

1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. 2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. 4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. 7When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. 8The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. 9With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. 10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. 11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. 13Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. 14Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure. 16A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. 17A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. 18The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. 19Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. 20Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. 21Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. 22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. 23The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath. 24One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. 25Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. 26The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. 27Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. 28Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. 29Whoever troubles his own household 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 whoever captures souls is wise. 31If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
New International Version

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

1A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. 2When pride comes, then comes dishonor; But with the humble there is wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them. 4Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath, But righteousness rescues from death. 5The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright will rescue them, But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. 7When a wicked person dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of strong people perishes. 8The righteous is rescued from trouble, But the wicked takes his place. 9With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be rescued. 10When things go well for the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down. 12One who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a person of understanding keeps silent. 13One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 14Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory. 15One who is a guarantor for a stranger will certainly suffer for it, But one who hates being a guarantor is secure. 16A gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches. 17A merciful person does himself good, But the cruel person does himself harm. 18A wicked person earns deceptive wages, But one who sows righteousness gets a true reward. 19One who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But one who pursues evil attains his own death. 20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. 21 Be assured, the evil person will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be rescued. 22 As a ring of gold in a pig’s snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 23The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in poverty. 25A generous person will be prosperous, And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty. 26One who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 27One who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But one who seeks evil, evil will come to him. 28One who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. 29One who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And one who is wise gains souls. 31If the righteous will be repaid on the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!
Christian Standard Bible

1Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.
2When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.
4Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.
5The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.
7When the wicked person dies, his expectation comes to nothing, and hope placed in wealth vanishes.
8The righteous one is rescued from trouble; in his place, the wicked one goes in.
9With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices; when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.
11A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.
12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a person with understanding keeps silent.
13A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.
15If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it, but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16A gracious woman gains honor, but violent people gain only riches.
17A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.
18The wicked person earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.
19Genuine righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil leads to death.
20Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are his delight.
21Be assured that a wicked person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23The desire of the righteous turns out well, but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.
24One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
26People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.
27The one who searches for what is good seeks favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.
28Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.
29The one who brings ruin on his household will inherit the wind, and a fool will be a slave to someone whose heart is wise.
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but a cunning person takes lives. 31If the righteous will be repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and sinful.
New Living Translation

1The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
2Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
4Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.
5The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
6The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
7When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.
8The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
9With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
10The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.
11Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
12It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
13A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.
15There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.
16A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.
18Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.
19Godly people find life; evil people find death.
20The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.
21Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.
22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment.
24Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
26People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
27If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!
28Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
29Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
30The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
31If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?
King James Version

1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.
15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

What does Proverbs chapter 11 mean?

Solomon continues his wise sayings in this chapter by contrasting the conduct and character of the upright and the wicked. Those labelled "righteous" or "blameless" here are those who follow godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Those who ignore God, and selfishly follow their own whims, are the wicked and unrighteous (Proverbs 3:32–33).

An upright, godly life leads a person in the right path. This keeps godly people from gaining a bad reputation, from suffering the consequences of sin, and from being taken in by their own greed. Those who reject wisdom are consumed and destroyed by their own evil. In particular, those who pursue wealth and worldliness at all costs will be left without hope (Proverbs 11:1–8).

Those who seek righteousness not only benefit their own lives, they are a blessing to others. Their generosity helps their neighbor, and in return they can expect help in times of crisis. The righteous person's life is attractive; they "capture" the souls of others and encourage them to also honor God. Godliness keeps a person from inviting trouble, from offending others with slander or gossip, and from ruining their reputation. In contrast, the wicked person harms his neighbors and his family. As a result, he can expect to see his legacy ruined and his reputation hated. Even if the unrighteous person escapes some earthly troubles, he has no hope, at all, in eternity (Proverbs 11:9–31).
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