Sprüche 11 | New International Reader’s Version

1 The LORD hates it when people use scales to cheat others. But he is delighted when people use honest weights. 2 When pride comes, shame follows. But wisdom comes to those who are not proud. 3 Those who do what is right are guided by their honest lives. But those who aren’t faithful are destroyed by their lies. 4 Wealth isn’t worth anything when God judges you. But doing what is right saves you from death. 5 The ways of honest people are made straight because they do what is right. But those who do what is wrong are brought down by their own sins. 6 Godly people are saved by doing what is right. But those who aren’t faithful are trapped by evil longings. 7 Hopes placed in human beings will die with them. Everything their power promised comes to nothing. 8 Those who do right are saved from trouble. But trouble comes on those who do wrong. 9 With their words ungodly people destroy their neighbours. But those who do what is right escape because of their knowledge. 10 When those who do right succeed, their city is glad. When those who do wrong die, people shout for joy. 11 The blessing of honest people builds up a city. But the words of sinners destroy it. 12 Whoever makes fun of their neighbour has no sense. But the one who has understanding controls their tongue. 13 Those who talk about others will tell secrets. But those who can be trusted keep the secrets of others. 14 Without guidance a nation falls. But many good advisers can bring victory to a nation. 15 Whoever promises to pay for what someone else owes will certainly suffer. But a person who doesn’t agree to pay someone else’s bill is safe. 16 A woman who has a kind heart gains honour. But men who are not kind gain only wealth. 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves. But mean people bring ruin on themselves. 18 An evil person really earns nothing. But the one who plants what is right will certainly be rewarded. 19 Surely right living leads to life. But whoever runs after evil finds death. 20 The LORD hates those whose hearts are twisted. But he is pleased with those who live without blame. 21 You can be sure that sinners will be punished. And you can also be sure that godly people will go free. 22 A beautiful woman who has no sense is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose. 23 What godly people long for ends only in what is good. But what sinners hope for ends only in God’s anger. 24 One person gives freely but gets even richer. Another person doesn’t give what they should but gets even poorer. 25 Anyone who gives a lot will succeed. Anyone who renews others will be renewed. 26 People ask for bad things to happen to those who store up corn for themselves. But people ask for God’s blessing on those who are willing to sell. 27 Anyone who looks for what is good will be blessed. But bad things will happen to a person who plans to do evil. 28 Those who trust in their riches will fall. But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf. 29 Those who bring ruin on their families will receive nothing but wind. And foolish people will serve wise people. 30 The fruit that godly people bear is like a tree of life. And those who are wise save lives. 31 Godly people get what they should get on earth. So ungodly people and sinners will certainly get what they should get!

English Standard Version

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

Sprüche 11 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version