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.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

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14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(A)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(B)

15 Whoever puts up security(C) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(D)

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(E)
    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.(F)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(G)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.(H)

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(I)
    but he delights(J) in those whose ways are blameless.(K)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.(L)

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

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14 Where there is (A)no guidance, a people falls,
    (B)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (C)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 (D)A gracious woman gets honor,
    and (E)violent men get riches.
17 (F)A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
    but one who (G)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness (H)will live,
    but (I)he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of (J)crooked heart are (K)an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of (L)blameless ways are (M)his delight.
21 (N)Be assured, (O)an evil person will not go unpunished,
    but (P)the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like (Q)a gold ring in a pig's snout
    is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    (R)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

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14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(A)

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(B)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[a] people gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,(C)
but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.(D)

18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(E)

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,(F)
but pursuing evil leads to death.(G)

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(H)

21 Be assured[b] that a wicked person
will not go unpunished,(I)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(J)

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,(K)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:16 Or ruthless
  2. 11:21 Lit Hand to hand