Proverbs 11:10-31 ▼

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city exults, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is raised up, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12 He who despises his neighbor lacks a heart of wisdom, But a man of discernment keeps silent.

13 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But he who is faithful in spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is salvation.

15 If one becomes a guarantor for a stranger, he will surely suffer, But he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

16 A gracious woman holds fast to glory, But ruthless men hold fast to riches.

17 The man of lovingkindness deals bountifully with his soul, But the cruel man brings trouble on his flesh.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

20 Those with a crooked heart are an abomination to Yahweh, But those of a blameless way are His delight.

21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the seed of the righteous will escape.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout So is a beautiful woman who turns away from discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the hope of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who holds back what is rightly due, and yet results only in want.

25 The soul that blesses will be enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered.

26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good seeks favor, But he who searches for evil, evil will come to him.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the ignorant fool will be a slave to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.

31 If the righteous will be repaid in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!