11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

Wealth(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(H)

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(L)
    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.(M)

The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(W)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(Y)

15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(AB)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(AC)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(AD)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.(AE)

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(AF)
    but he delights(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.(AH)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.(AI)

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 generous(AJ) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.(AK)

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.(AL)

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(AM)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(AN)

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(AO)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AP)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due(AQ) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.(AR)

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(AS)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(AT)

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(AU)

A wife of noble character(AV) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(AW)

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(AX)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(AY)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(AZ)

A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(BA) mind is despised.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(BB)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(BC)

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(BD)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(BE)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(BF)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(BG)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(BH)
    but the wise listen to advice.(BI)

16 Fools(BJ) show their annoyance at once,(BK)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(BL)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(BM)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(BN)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(BO)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(BQ)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(BR)
    but he delights(BS) in people who are trustworthy.(BT)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(BU)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(BV)

24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.(BW)

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(BX)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(BY)

27 The lazy do not roast[b] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(BZ)
    along that path is immortality.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(CA)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(CB)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(CC) preserve their lives,(CD)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(CE)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(CF)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(CG)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(CH)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(CI)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(CJ)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(CK)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(CL)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(CM)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(CN)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(CO)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(CP)
    but whoever respects(CQ) a command is rewarded.(CR)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(CS)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(CT)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[c]

16 All who are prudent act with[d] knowledge,
    but fools expose(CU) their folly.(CV)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(CW)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(CX)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(CY)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(CZ)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(DA)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(DB)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(DC)
    but the righteous(DD) are rewarded with good things.(DE)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(DF)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(DG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(DH) them.(DI)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(DJ)

14 The wise woman builds her house,(DK)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(DL)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(DM)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(DN) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(DO)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(DP)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(DQ)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(DR)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(DS)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(DT)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(DU)
    but in the end it leads to death.(DV)

13 Even in laughter(DW) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(DX)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(DY)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(DZ)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(EA)
    but a fool(EB) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(EC) does foolish things,(ED)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(EE)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(EF)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(EG)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(EH)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(EI)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(EJ)
    But those who plan what is good find[e] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(EK)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(EL)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(EM)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(EN)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(EO)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(EP)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(EQ)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(ER)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(ES)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(ET)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(EU)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(EV)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(EW)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(EX)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(EY)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[f]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(EZ)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(FA)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
  2. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  4. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
  5. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  6. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

13 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

14 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

The Folly of Wickedness

11 (A)Dishonest[a] scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a [b]just weight is His delight.

When pride comes, then comes (B)shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright will guide (C)them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
(D)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But (E)righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will [c]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own (F)wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will (G)perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
(H)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 (I)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is (J)exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who [d]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 (K)A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit (L)conceals a matter.

14 (M)Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is (N)surety[e] for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates [f]being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 (O)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But (P)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (Q)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (R)death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 (S)Though they join [g]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (T)the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [h]discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (U)is wrath.

24 There is one who (V)scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 (W)The generous soul will be made rich,
(X)And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse (Y)him who withholds grain,
But (Z)blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good [i]finds favor,
(AA)But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 (AB)He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But (AC)the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house (AD)will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be (AE)servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And (AF)he who [j]wins souls is wise.

31 (AG)If the righteous will be [k]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

The House of the Righteous Shall Stand

12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

A man is not established by wickedness,
But the (AH)root of the righteous cannot be moved.

(AI)An[l] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is (AJ)like rottenness in his bones.

The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
(AK)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
(AL)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

(AM)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
(AN)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

(AO)Better is the one who is [m]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10 (AP)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 (AQ)He who [n]tills his land will be satisfied with (AR)bread,
But he who follows [o]frivolity (AS)is devoid of [p]understanding.

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 (AT)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
(AU)But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 (AV)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
(AW)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15 (AX)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 (AY)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.

17 (AZ)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 (BA)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
(BB)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (BC)No grave [q]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 (BD)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23 (BE)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 (BF)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25 (BG)Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But (BH)a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

Wisdom Loves Righteousness

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
(BI)But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

(BJ)A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
(BK)He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

(BL)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
(BM)Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

(BN)There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoices,
(BO)But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 By pride comes nothing but (BP)strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 (BQ)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But (BR)when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13 He who (BS)despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 (BT)The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from (BU)the snares of death.

15 Good understanding [r]gains (BV)favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 (BW)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But (BX)a faithful ambassador brings health.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who [s]disdains correction,
But (BY)he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 (BZ)Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But (CA)the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 (CB)Much food is in the [t]fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is [u]waste.

24 (CC)He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him [v]promptly.

25 (CD)The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

The Ways of Life and Death

14 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
(CE)But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
(CF)But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Where no oxen are, the [w]trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

A (CG)faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter (CH)lies.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But (CI)knowledge is easy to him who understands.
Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of (CJ)knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.

(CK)Fools mock at [x]sin,
But among the upright there is favor.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.

11 (CL)The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 (CM)There is a way that seems right to a man,
But (CN)its end is the way of (CO)death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And (CP)the end of mirth may be grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be (CQ)filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [y]from (CR)above.

15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 (CS)A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 (CT)The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But [z]the rich has many (CU)friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
(CV)But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

23 In all labor there is profit,
But [aa]idle chatter leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness [ab]delivers (CW)souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 (CX)The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

29 (CY)He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is [ac]impulsive exalts folly.

30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But (CZ)envy is (DA)rottenness to the bones.

31 (DB)He who oppresses the poor reproaches (DC)his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But (DD)the righteous has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But (DE)what is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a (DF)nation,
But sin is a [ad]reproach to any people.

35 (DG)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
  2. Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
  3. Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
  4. Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
  5. Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
  6. Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
  7. Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
  8. Proverbs 11:22 taste
  9. Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
  10. Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
  11. Proverbs 11:31 rewarded
  12. Proverbs 12:4 Lit. A wife of valor
  13. Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
  14. Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
  15. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
  16. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
  17. Proverbs 12:21 harm
  18. Proverbs 13:15 gives
  19. Proverbs 13:18 Lit. ignores
  20. Proverbs 13:23 uncultivated
  21. Proverbs 13:23 Lit. what is swept away
  22. Proverbs 13:24 early
  23. Proverbs 14:4 manger or feed trough
  24. Proverbs 14:9 Lit. guilt
  25. Proverbs 14:14 Lit. from above himself
  26. Proverbs 14:20 Lit. many are the lovers of the rich
  27. Proverbs 14:23 Lit. talk of the lips
  28. Proverbs 14:25 saves lives
  29. Proverbs 14:29 Lit. short of spirit
  30. Proverbs 14:34 shame or disgrace