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11:1  A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, But an accurate scale is His delight.
11:2  When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.
11:3  The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
11:4  Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment, But righteousness rescues from death.
11:5  The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
11:6  The righteousness of the upright will rescue them, But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
11:7  When the wicked man dies, his expectation will perish; And the hope of [godless] strong men perishes.
11:8  The righteous is rescued from trouble, And the wicked takes his place.
11:9  With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge and discernment the righteous will be rescued.
11:10  When it goes well for the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11:11  By the blessing [of the influence] of the upright the city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
11:12  He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.
11:13  He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
11:14  Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
11:15  He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness], But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties].
11:16  A gracious and good woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].
11:17  The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him], But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
11:18  The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].
11:19  He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But he who pursues evil attains his own death.
11:20  The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the Lord, But those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight!
11:21  Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be freed.
11:22  As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion [her lack of character mocks her beauty].
11:23  The desire of the righteous brings only good, But the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.
11:24  There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more; And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.
11:25  The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
11:26  The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it], But a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it.
11:27  He who diligently seeks good seeks favor and grace, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
11:28  He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall, But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.
11:29  He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing), And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted.
11:30  The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].
11:31  If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth [with godly blessings], How much more [will] the wicked and the sinner [be repaid with punishment]!