Proverbs 10:21-11:23

New International Version

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.^(A)

²² The blessing of the Lord^(B) brings wealth,^(C)
    without painful toil for it.^(D)

²³ A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,^(E)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

²⁴ What the wicked dread^(F) will overtake them;^(G)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.^(H)

²⁵ When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm^(I) forever.^(J)

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and smoke^(K) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.^(L)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord adds length to life,^(M)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.^(N)

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.^(O)

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.^(P)

³⁰ The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.^(Q)

³¹ From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,^(R)
    but a perverse tongue^(S) will be silenced.

³² The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,^(T)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.^(U)

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,^(V)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.^(W)

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,^(X)
    but with humility comes wisdom.^(Y)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.^(Z)

⁴ Wealth^(AA) is worthless in the day of wrath,^(AB)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(AC)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(AD)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(AE)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.^(AF)

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;^(AG)
    all the promise of^[a] their power comes to nothing.^(AH)

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.^(AI)

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.^(AJ)

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;^(AK)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.^(AL)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(AM)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(AN)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,^(AO)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.^(AP)

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,^(AQ)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.^(AR)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,^(AS)
    but victory is won through many advisers.^(AT)

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

¹⁶ A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(AW)
    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.^(AX)

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

²⁰ The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,^(BA)
    but he delights^(BB) in those whose ways are blameless.^(BC)

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

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.