Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Proverbs 11
New International Version

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

4 Wealth(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,(G)
but righteousness delivers from death.(H)

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(L)
all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.(M)

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(V)
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(W)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(X)
but victory is won through many advisers.(Y)

15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(AB)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(AC)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(AD)
but whoever pursues evil finds death.(AE)

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(AF)
but he delights(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.(AH)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(AI)

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

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous(AJ) person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.(AK)

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(AL)

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(AM)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(AN)

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(AO)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AP)
and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due(AQ) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

#### Footnotes

1. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from

#### Cross references

1. Proverbs 11:1 : S Lev 19:36; Dt 25:13-16; S Job 6:2; Pr 20:10, 23
2. Proverbs 11:1 : Pr 16:11; Eze 45:10
3. Proverbs 11:2 : Pr 16:18
4. Proverbs 11:2 : Pr 18:12; 29:23
5. Proverbs 11:3 : ver 5; Pr 13:6
6. Proverbs 11:4 : Eze 27:27
7. Proverbs 11:4 : S Job 20:20; S Eze 7:19
8. Proverbs 11:4 : S Pr 10:2
9. Proverbs 11:5 : S 1Ki 8:36
10. Proverbs 11:5 : S ver 3; Pr 5:21-23; 13:6; 21:7
11. Proverbs 11:6 : S Est 7:9
12. Proverbs 11:7 : S Job 8:13
13. Proverbs 11:7 : S Pr 10:28
14. Proverbs 11:8 : Pr 21:18
15. Proverbs 11:9 : Pr 12:6; Jer 45:5
16. Proverbs 11:10 : S 2Ki 11:20
17. Proverbs 11:10 : S Est 8:17
18. Proverbs 11:11 : Pr 14:34
19. Proverbs 11:11 : Pr 29:8
20. Proverbs 11:12 : Pr 14:21
21. Proverbs 11:12 : S Job 6:24
22. Proverbs 11:13 : Pr 20:19
23. Proverbs 11:13 : S Pr 10:14
24. Proverbs 11:14 : Pr 20:18
25. Proverbs 11:14 : S 2Sa 15:34; Pr 15:22; 24:6
26. Proverbs 11:15 : S Pr 6:1
27. Proverbs 11:15 : Pr 17:18; 22:26-27
28. Proverbs 11:16 : Pr 31:31
29. Proverbs 11:18 : S Ex 1:20; S Job 4:8; Hos 10:12-13
30. Proverbs 11:19 : S Dt 30:15; S Pr 10:2
31. Proverbs 11:19 : 1Sa 2:6; Ps 89:48; Pr 1:18-19; Ecc 7:2; Jer 43:11
32. Proverbs 11:20 : Pr 3:32
33. Proverbs 11:20 : S Nu 14:8
34. Proverbs 11:20 : S 1Ch 29:17; S Ps 15:2; 101:1-4; S 119:1; Pr 12:2, 22; 15:9
35. Proverbs 11:21 : Pr 16:5
36. Proverbs 11:25 : 1Ch 29:17; Isa 32:8
37. Proverbs 11:25 : Pr 22:9; 2Co 9:6-9
38. Proverbs 11:27 : Ps 7:15-16
39. Proverbs 11:28 : Job 31:24-28; S Ps 49:6; S 52:7; 62:10; Jer 9:23; 48:7
40. Proverbs 11:28 : Ps 52:8; 92:12-14
41. Proverbs 11:29 : Pr 14:19
42. Proverbs 11:30 : S Ge 2:9; S Pr 10:11
43. Proverbs 11:31 : Jer 25:29; 49:12; 1Pe 4:18

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles