Proverbs 11:12-31

English Standard Version

¹² Whoever ^(A)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.
¹³ Whoever ^(B)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
¹⁴ Where there is ^(C)no guidance, a people falls,
    ^(D)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
^15 (E)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
^16 (F)A gracious woman gets honor,
    and ^(G)violent men get riches.
^17 (H)A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself.
¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages,
    but one who ^(I)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
¹⁹ Whoever is steadfast in righteousness ^(J)will live,
    but ^(K)he who pursues evil will die.
²⁰ Those of ^(L)crooked heart are ^(M)an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of ^(N)blameless ways are ^(O)his delight.
^21 (P)Be assured, ^(Q)an evil person will not go unpunished,
    but ^(R)the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
²² Like ^(S)a gold ring in a pig's snout
    is a beautiful woman without discretion.
²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    ^(T)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
^24 (U)One gives ^(V)freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
^25 (W)Whoever brings blessing ^(X)will be enriched,
    and ^(Y)one who waters will himself be watered.
^26 (Z)The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but ^(AA)a blessing is on the head of him who ^(AB)sells it.
²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,^[a]
    but evil comes to ^(AC)him who searches for it.
²⁸ Whoever ^(AD)trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will ^(AE)flourish like a green leaf.
²⁹ Whoever ^(AF)troubles his own household will ^(AG)inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is ^(AH)a tree of life,
    and whoever ^(AI)captures souls is wise.
³¹ If ^(AJ)the righteous is repaid on earth,
    how much more the wicked and the sinner!