11:1 The poor man’s wisdom lifts his head high and sets him among princes.
11:2 Praise not a man for his looks; despise not a man for his appearance.
11:3 Least is the bee among winged things, but she reaps the choicest of all harvests.
11:4 Mock not the worn cloak and jibe at no man’s bitter day: For strange are the works of the LORD, hidden from men his deeds.
11:5 The oppressed often rise to a throne, and some that none would consider wear a crown.
11:6 The exalted often fall into utter disgrace; the honored are given into enemy hands.
11:7 Before investigating, find no fault; examine first, then criticize.
11:8 Before hearing, answer not, and interrupt no one in the middle of his speech.
11:9 Dispute not about what is not your concern; in the strife of the arrogant take no part.
11:10 My son, why increase your cares, since he who is avid for wealth will not be blameless? Even if you run after it, you will never overtake it; however you seek it, you will not find it.
11:11 One may toil and struggle and drive, and fall short all the more.
11:12 Another goes his way a weakling and a failure, with little strength and great misery ? Yet the eyes of the LORD look favorably upon him; he raises him free of the vile dust,
11:13 Lifts up his head and exalts him to the amazement of the many.
11:14 Good and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from the LORD.
11:15 Wisdom and understanding and knowledge of affairs, love and virtuous paths are from the LORD.
11:16 Error and darkness were formed with sinners from their birth, and evil grows old with evildoers.
11:17 The LORD’s gift remains with the just; his favor brings continued success.
11:18 A man may become rich through a miser’s life, and this is his allotted reward:
11:19 When he says: "I have found rest, now I will feast on my possessions," He does not know how long it will be till he dies and leaves them to others.
11:20 My son, hold fast to your duty, busy yourself with it, grow old while doing your task.
11:21 Admire not how sinners live, but trust in the LORD and wait for his light; For it is easy with the LORD suddenly, in an instant, to make a poor man rich.
11:22 God’s blessing is the lot of the just man, and in due time his hopes bear fruit.
11:23 Say not: "What do I need? What further pleasure can be mine?"
11:24 Say not: "I am independent. What harm can come to me now?"
11:25 The day of prosperity makes one forget adversity; the day of adversity makes one forget prosperity.
11:26 For it is easy with the LORD on the day of death to repay man according to his deeds.
11:27 A moment’s affliction brings forgetfulness of past delights; when a man dies, his life is revealed.
11:28 Call no man happy before his death, for by how he ends, a man is known.
11:29 Bring not every man into your house, for many are the snares of the crafty one;
11:30 Though he seem like a bird confined in a cage, yet like a spy he will pick out the weak spots.
11:31 The talebearer turns good into evil; with a spark he sets many coals afire.
11:32 The evil man lies in wait for blood, and plots against your choicest possessions.
11:33 Avoid a wicked man, for he breeds only evil, lest you incur a lasting stain.
11:34 Lodge a stranger with you, and he will subvert your course, and make a stranger of you to your own household.