Chapter Eleven

Rigged scales are an abomination to Jehovah, while honest weights are his delight.

When arrogance appears, disgrace comes as well, but with the humble lies wisdom.

The honesty of the upright guides them; the duplicity of the faithless destroys them.

On the Day of Judgment riches are of no avail, but righteousness delivers one from death.

The rectitude of the righteous keeps his path a straight one, but the wicked will stumble because of their own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are caught in the snare of their own lusts.

When the wicked man dies, his hopes dies with him, as do the expectations of the unjust.

The righteous man is delivered from his troubles, which fall instead upon the wicked.

The godless man corrupts his neighbors with his words, but knowledge delivers the righteous.

When the righteous prosper, the city celebrates, and when the wicked perish, there are cries of jubilation.

A city is exalted by the blessings of the upright, but it is overthrown by the words of the wicked.

He who denigrates his neighbor lacks discretion, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

A gossip betrays secrets, while a person of trustworthy character covers up the matter.

Without sound guidance, a nation falls, but there is comfort in having many advisers.

If a man guarantees a loan for a stranger, he will suffer for it, but he who loathes such guarantees is safe.

A gracious woman gains honor, and a ruthless man gains wealth.

A kind man benefits himself, but the cruel man harms himself.

The wicked earn dubious rewards, but he who sows righteousness reaps a reward that is certain.

Those who are truly righteous attain life, but those who pursue evil are led to their own death.

Jehovah detests those with deceitful minds, but delights in those of blameless conduct.

Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will go free.

Like a ring of gold in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who has no discretion.

The desire of the righteous is only for good; the expectation of the wicked is indignation.

One gives freely of his goods, yet grows only richer, while another withholds giving his just due and is reduced to want.

A generous man will prosper; he who gives a drink to another will himself be given a drink.

People curse those who hoard grain, but a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

He who seeks good will find favor, but he who seeks evil, it will come to him.

Those who trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Whoever stirs up trouble within his own family will inherit the winds, and such a fool will become a servant to the wise.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who is wise wins friends.

If the righteous receive their just deserts here on earth, how much more so the wicked and the sinner!