The Word Am I

The Proverbs

Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 11 -

The lawless and the righteous

(Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Ezekiel 45:10-12)
1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

The faithful man and the messenger

12
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16
A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.

Generous benefactor

24
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!(a)

Footnotes

(a)11:31 LXX If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? Cited in 1 Peter 4:18

The lawless and the righteous

(Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Ezekiel 45:10-12)
1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
2
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4
Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. 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.

The faithful man and the messenger

12
One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
15
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16
A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
17
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring (a) of the righteous will be delivered.
22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Generous benefactor

24
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
31
Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Footnotes

(a)11:21 or, seed