Proverbs 11:5-31 ▼

5 The righteousness of the upright shall direct his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; but the transgressors shall be caught in their own wickedness.

7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation perishes; and the hope of the evil doers perishes.

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

9 With his mouth a wicked man destroys his neighbor; but through knowledge shall the righteous be strengthened.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city becomes powerful; and when the wicked perish, there is rejoicing.

11 By the blessings of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who despises his neighbor lacks understanding; but a man of prudence lives in peace.

13 An adversary reveals secrets; but he who is faithful in his spirit conceals the matter.

14 A people who have no leader shall fall; but in the multitude of counsels there is deliverance.

15 The wicked oppresses the righteous when he meets him, because he hates those who wait and hope.

16 A gracious woman sustains the honor of her husband; a woman who hates the truth is the seat of dishonor. Lazy men are in want even when they are rich; and strong men retain knowledge.

17 A pious man does good to his soul; but he who is cruel destroys his own flesh.

18 The wicked man does a deceitful work; but he who sows righteousness has a true reward.

19 A son who is reared in righteousness lives long; but he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD; but those who are upright in their way are his delight.

21 He who stretches out his hand against his neighbor shall not go unpunished: but the offspring of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 Like a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman without discretion.

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

24 There is he who scatters his own seed abroad, and yet brings in plenty; and there is he who gathers that which is not his, and yet has less.

25 The liberal soul shall be enriched; and the accursed one shall be cursed more.

26 He who holds back grain in the day of distress shall fall into the hands of his enemies; but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

27 He who diligently seeks good procures favor; but he who seeks mischief, it shall come upon him.

28 He who trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish like green leaves.

29 He who builds his house with deceit shall leave to his children sorrows; and he who fails to make his household tranquil shall bequeath the wind to his children; and the fool shall be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; but the souls of the wicked shall be driven out.

31 If the righteous lives in difficulty, how much more the wicked and the sinner!