Proverbs 11:16-23

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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

¹⁷ A kind man benefits himself,^(A)
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.^(B)

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

¹⁹ Genuine righteousness leads to life,^(D)
but pursuing evil leads to death.^(E)

²⁰ Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.^(F)

²¹ Be assured^[b] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,^(G)
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.^(H)

²³ The desire of the righteous turns out well,^(I)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.^(J)