Proverbs 11:1-31 ERV

[1] The LORD hates false scales, but he loves accurate weights. [2] Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble. [3] Good people are guided by their honesty, but crooks who lie and cheat will ruin themselves. [4] Money is worthless when you face God's punishment, but living right will save you from death. [5] Doing right makes life better for those who are good, but the wicked are destroyed by their own wicked ways. [6] Doing right sets honest people free, but people who can't be trusted are trapped by their greed. [7] When the wicked die, all their hopes are lost; everything they thought they could do comes to nothing. [8] Good people escape from trouble, but the wicked come along and are trapped by it. [9] With their words hypocrites can destroy their neighbors. But with what they know, good people can escape. [10] When good people are successful, the whole city is happy, and they all shout with joy when evil people are destroyed. [11] Blessings from the honest people living in a city will make it great, but the things evil people say can destroy it. [12] Stupid people say bad things about their neighbors. Wise people know to be quiet. [13] People who tell secrets about others cannot be trusted. Those who can be trusted keep quiet. [14] A nation without wise leaders will fall. Many good advisors make a nation safe. [15] You will be sorry if you promise to pay a stranger's debt. Refuse to make such promises and you will be safe. [16] A kind and gentle woman gains respect, but violent men gain only wealth. [17] People who are kind will be rewarded for their kindness, but cruel people will be rewarded with trouble. [18] The work of evil people is all lies, but those who do right will receive a good reward. [19] People who do what is right are on their way to life, but those who always want to do wrong are on their way to death. [20] The LORD hates those who love to do evil, but he is pleased with those who try to do right. [21] The truth is, evil people will be punished, and good people will be set free. [22] A beautiful woman without good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's nose. [23] What good people want brings more good. What evil people want brings more trouble. [24] Some people give freely and gain more; others refuse to give and end up with less. [25] Give freely, and you will profit. Help others, and you will gain more for yourself. [26] People curse a greedy man who refuses to sell his grain, but they bless a man who sells his grain to feed others. [27] People are pleased with those who try to do good. Those who look for trouble will find it. [28] Those who trust in their riches will fall like dead leaves, but good people will blossom. [29] Those who cause trouble for their families will inherit nothing but the wind. A foolish person will end up as a servant to one who is wise. [30] What good people produce is like a life-giving tree. Those who are wise give new life to others. [31] If good people are rewarded here on earth, then surely those who do evil will also get what they deserve.