Proverbs 11:17-19

Easy-to-Read Version

¹⁷People who are kind will be rewarded for their kindness, but cruel people will be rewarded with trouble.

¹⁸The work of evil people is all lies, but those who do right will receive a good reward.^[a]

¹⁹People who do what is right are on their way to life, but those who always want to do wrong are on their way to death.

Proverbs 11:18 This is a wordplay in Hebrew. The word “lies” sounds like the word “reward.”

Proverbs 11:17-19

New International Version

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

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

¹⁹Truly the righteous attain life,^(B)
but whoever pursues evil finds death.^(C)

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

New International Version (NIV)