Proverbs 11:11-18
King James Version
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Read full chapter
Proverbs 11:11-18
New International Version
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(A)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(B)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(C)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(D)
15 Whoever puts up security(I) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(J)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(K)
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.(L)
Proverbs 11:11-18
English Standard Version
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but (A)by the mouth of the wicked (B)it is overthrown.
12 Whoever (C)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (D)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is (E)no guidance, a people falls,
(F)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (G)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 (H)A gracious woman gets honor,
and (I)violent men get riches.
17 (J)A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who (K)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:11-18
Christian Standard Bible
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(A)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(B)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a person with understanding keeps silent.(C)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(D)
14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(E)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(F)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[a] people gain only riches.
18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(I)
Footnotes
- 11:16 Or ruthless
Proverbs 11:11-18
New American Standard Bible 1995
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks [a]sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.
13 He (A)who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is [b]trustworthy (B)conceals a matter.
14 Where there is no (C)guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is [c]victory.
15 He who is (D)guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates [d]being a guarantor is secure.
16 A (E)gracious woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches.
17 The (F)merciful man does [e]himself good,
But the cruel man [f]does himself harm.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who (G)sows righteousness gets a true reward.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:12 Lit heart
- Proverbs 11:13 Lit faithful of spirit
- Proverbs 11:14 Lit deliverance
- Proverbs 11:15 Lit those who strike hands
- Proverbs 11:17 Lit good to his own soul
- Proverbs 11:17 Lit troubles his flesh
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.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.