The Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 11

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

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:11
    A just balance and scales are the Lord 's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
    Proverbs 20:10
    Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
    Proverbs 20:23
    Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
    Leviticus 19:35 - 36
    You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.
  2. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:22
    Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:18
    Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
    Proverbs 18:12
    Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
    Proverbs 29:23
    One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
    Daniel 4:30 - 31
    And the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?
  4. Cross References
    Micah 6:8
    He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:6
    Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:3
    When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.
  7. Cross References
    Zephaniah 1:18
    Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
    Proverbs 10:2
    Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 7:1
    Then the Lord said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.
  9. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:6
    In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:4
    Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 7:15 - 16
    He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.
  12. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:28
    The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
  13. Cross References
    Job 8:13 - 14
    Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
  14. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:6
    The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
    Proverbs 21:18
    The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.
  15. Cross References
    Proverbs 28:12
    When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
    Esther 8:15
    Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 10:7
    His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:1
    The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
    Proverbs 29:8
    Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
  18. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:21
    Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
    Matthew 7:1
    Judge not, that you be not judged.
  19. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:19
    Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
    Leviticus 19:16
    You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:22
    Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
    Proverbs 20:18
    Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
    Proverbs 24:6
    For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:22
    Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
    Proverbs 20:18
    Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
    Proverbs 24:6
    For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
  22. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:1
    My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger.
    Job 17:3
    Lay down a pledge for me with yourself; who is there who will put up security for me?
  23. Cross References
    Proverbs 31:30
    Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 11:21
    When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe.
  25. Cross References
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
    Matthew 25:34 - 40
    Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
  26. Cross References
    Hosea 10:12
    Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
    Galatians 6:8 - 9
    For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
    James 3:18
    And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:16
    The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
    Proverbs 19:23
    The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
  28. Cross References
    Romans 6:23
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Galatians 6:8
    For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
  29. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:20
    A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
  30. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:22
    Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
    Proverbs 16:5
    Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord ; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
  31. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:6
    Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
    Psalms 119:1
    Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
  32. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 29:17
    I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.
  33. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:5
    Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord ; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
  34. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:7
    The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
    Psalms 37:2
    For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
    Psalms 37:9
    For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
    Isaiah 28:15 - 18
    Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter".
  35. Cross References
    Psalms 112:2
    His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
  36. Cross References
    Genesis 24:47
    Then I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms.
    Isaiah 3:21
    The signet rings and nose rings.
    Ezekiel 16:12
    And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.
  37. Cross References
    Romans 2:8 - 9
    But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
  38. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:7
    One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
  39. Cross References
    Psalms 37:21
    The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.
    Psalms 112:9
    He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
    Proverbs 19:17
    Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
  40. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:6 - 11
    The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:4
    The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
    Proverbs 28:25
    A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
  42. Cross References
    Matthew 7:2
    For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
  43. Cross References
    Proverbs 24:24
    Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations.
  44. Cross References
    Job 29:13
    The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
  45. Cross References
    Genesis 42:6
    Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
  46. Cross References
    Psalms 7:16
    His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.
  47. Cross References
    Psalms 49:6
    Those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
  48. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:8
    He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
    Psalms 92:12
    The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
  49. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:27
    Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
  50. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 5:16
    This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?
  51. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:18
    She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
  52. Cross References
    Daniel 12:3
    And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
    James 5:20
    Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
    1 Corinthians 9:19 - 22
    For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
  53. Cross References
    Jeremiah 25:29
    For behold, I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the Lord of hosts.
    1 Peter 4:18
    And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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