Chapter 11

¹ False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him. ² Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.^{1 3} When a just man dies he ²leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy. ^{4 5} Righteousness ³traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

⁶ The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. ⁷ At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

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⁸ A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. ⁹ In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. ¹⁰ In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: ⁴but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

¹² A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet. ¹³ A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is ⁵faithful in spirit conceals matters. ¹⁴ They that have no ⁶guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

¹⁵ A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety. ¹⁶ A gracious wife ⁷brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the ⁸diligent support themselves with wealth. ¹⁷ A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

¹⁸ An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth. ¹⁹ A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death. ²⁰ Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him. ²¹ He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward. ²² As an ornament in a swine’s snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women. ²³ All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

²⁴ There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.^{9 25} Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful. ²⁶ May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it. ²⁷ He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him. ²⁸ He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.^{10 29} He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man. ³⁰ Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time. ^{31 11}If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?