Châm Ngôn 11

¹The LORD detests dishonest scales, \q but an honest weight pleases him. ²When pride arrives, disgrace follows close behind, \q but the humble have wisdom. ³The upright are guided by their integrity, \q but the treacherous are ruined by their own deceit. ⁴Riches are of no use on the day of wrath, \q but righteousness rescues from death. ⁵The righteousness of the blameless clears their road, \q but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. ⁶The righteousness of the upright sets them free, \q but the treacherous are trapped by their own greed. ⁷When the wicked die, their hope dies with them, \q and all they expected from their strength is gone. ⁸The righteous are rescued from trouble, \q and the wicked fall into it instead. ⁹With their words the godless bring ruin on their neighbors, \q but the righteous escape by knowing better. ¹⁰When the righteous do well, the whole town celebrates; \q when the wicked perish, there are cheers. ¹¹A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, \q but the talk of the wicked tears it down. ¹²Whoever belittles a neighbor has no sense, \q but a person of understanding holds their tongue. ¹³A gossip goes around giving away secrets, \q but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. ¹⁴Without wise direction a nation falls, \q but with many advisers comes victory. ¹⁵Whoever guarantees a stranger’s debt will be badly hurt, \q but whoever refuses to shake on such deals is safe. ¹⁶A gracious woman gains honor, \q and ruthless men gain only riches.^{a 17}People who are kind do themselves good, \q but the cruel bring harm on their own bodies. ¹⁸The wicked earn pay that does not last, \q but whoever sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. ¹⁹Real righteousness leads to life, \q but chasing after evil leads to death. ²⁰The LORD detests those with twisted hearts, \q but people of integrity are his delight. ²¹Be sure of this: the wicked will not escape punishment, \q but the children of the righteous will go free. ²²A lovely woman who has no sense \q is a gold ring stuck in a pig’s snout. ²³What the righteous long for ends only in good, \q but what the wicked hope for ends in wrath. ²⁴One person gives freely and gains even more; \q another holds back what should be given and ends up in need. ²⁵A generous person will prosper, \q and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. ²⁶People curse the one who hoards grain, \q but they bless the one who sells it. ²⁷Whoever works hard for what is good finds favor, \q but trouble comes to anyone who looks for it. ²⁸Those who put their trust in riches will fall, \q but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. ²⁹Whoever brings trouble on their family will inherit nothing but wind, \q and the fool will end up serving the wise. ³⁰What the righteous produce is a tree of life, \q and whoever wins people over is wise.^{b 31}If even the righteous are paid what they are due on earth, \q how much more will the wicked and sinners be!