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Proverbs 11-15
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 11-15
Christian Standard Bible
2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(C)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,(D)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(E)
4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(F)
5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(G)
7 When the wicked person dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[a][b] vanishes.(H)
8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(I)
9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(L)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(M)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a person with understanding keeps silent.(N)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(O)
14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(P)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(Q)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[c] people gain only riches.
18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(T)
20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(W)
21 Be assured[d] that a wicked person
will not go unpunished,(X)
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.(Y)
24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(AB)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(AC)
25 A generous person will be enriched,(AD)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(AE)
26 People will curse(AF) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(AG)
27 The one who searches for what is good(AH) seeks favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(AI)
29 The one who brings ruin on his household(AL)
will inherit the wind,(AM)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.
31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(AP)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(AQ)
3 No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(AT)
4 A wife of noble character[e] is her husband’s crown,(AU)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(AV)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked is deceitful.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(BA)
10 The righteous cares about his animal’s health,(BB)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(BC)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(BD)
12 The wicked desire what evil people have caught,[f]
but the root of the righteous is productive.
13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(BE)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(BF)
14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(BG)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.(BH)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(BI)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(BJ)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.(BK)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(BL)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(BM)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(BN)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(BO)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(BP)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(BS)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(BT)
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(BU)
26 A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[g]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(BV)
13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth,
a person will enjoy good things,(BZ)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(CA)
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(CB)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(CC)
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(CD)
5 The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked bring disgust and shame.
7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing;(CF)
another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth.(CG)
8 Riches are a ransom for a person’s life,(CH)
but a poor person hears no threat.
10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(CK)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(CL)
but whoever earns it through labor[j] will multiply it.(CM)
12 Hope delayed makes the heart sick,
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.(CN)
13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,(CO)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.(CP)
14 A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,(CQ)
turning people away from the snares of death.(CR)
16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(CT)
17 A wicked envoy falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(CU)
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.(CV)
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil is detestable to fools.(CW)
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(CX)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[l] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(CY)
23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,(CZ)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.(DA)
25 A righteous person eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.(DB)
2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(DE)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.(DF)
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[m]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(DG)
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[n]
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.(DH)
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.
7 Stay away from a foolish person;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.(DI)
8 The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
9 Fools mock at making reparation,[o]
but there is goodwill among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.(DJ)
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(DM)
14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good one, what his deeds deserve.(DN)
16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,(DP)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[q]
17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
and one who schemes is hated.(DQ)
18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before those who are good,
and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(DT)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(DU)
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?(DV)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.(DW)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.(DY)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(DZ)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(EA)
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
29 A patient person shows great understanding,(EB)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(EE)
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.(EF)
32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,(EG)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.(EH)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.(EJ)
35 A king favors a prudent servant,(EK)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(EN)
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(EO)
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(EQ)
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(ER)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(ES)
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(ET)
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(EW)
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(EX)
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(FA)
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(FF)
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(FG)
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a person with understanding walks a straight path.(FH)
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(FI)
24 For the prudent the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,
but he protects the widow’s territory.(FK)
26 The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,
but pleasant words are pure.(FL)
27 The one who profits dishonestly(FM) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(FN)
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(FO)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(FP)
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(FU)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[x](FV)
33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(FW)
Footnotes
- 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
- 11:7 Or strength
- 11:16 Or ruthless
- 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
- 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
- 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
- 12:26 Or person guides his neighbor
- 12:28 Or righteousness, but the crooked way leads to death
- 13:6 Lit guards integrity of way
- 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon his hand
- 13:15 LXX, Syr, Tg read treacherous will perish
- 13:22 Or inheritance: his
- 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back
- 14:4 Or clean
- 14:9 Or at guilt offerings
- 14:15 Lit the prudent understands
- 14:16 Or and falls
- 14:23 Lit but word of lips
- 14:33 LXX reads unknown
- 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
- 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
- 15:30 Lit makes fat
- 15:31 Lit An ear that
- 15:32 Lit acquires a heart
Proverbs 11-15
New International Version
Proverbs 11-15
New International Version
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)
15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(AB)
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.(AC)
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(AF)
but he delights(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.(AH)
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(AI)
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.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(AL)
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(AM)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(AN)
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(AO)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(AP)
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due(AQ) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(AR)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(AU)
4 A wife of noble character(AV) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(AW)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(AX)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(BA) mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(BB)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(BC)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(BF)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(BG)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(BM)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(BP)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(BQ)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(BW)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(BX)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(BY)
27 The lazy do not roast[b] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(BZ)
along that path is immortality.
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(CA)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(CB)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(CC) preserve their lives,(CD)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(CE)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(CF)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(CG)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(CH)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(CI)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(CJ)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(CK)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(CL)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(CM)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(CN)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(CO)
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(CP)
but whoever respects(CQ) a command is rewarded.(CR)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(CS)
turning a person from the snares of death.(CT)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[c]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(CY)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(CZ)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(DA)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(DB)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(DF)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(DG) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(DH) them.(DI)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(DJ)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(DK)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(DN) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(DO)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(DP)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(DQ)
but the folly of fools is deception.(DR)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(DW) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(DZ)
17 A quick-tempered person(EC) does foolish things,(ED)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(EE)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(EF)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(EG)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(EJ)
But those who plan what is good find[e] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(EK)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(EL)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(EM)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(EN)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(EQ)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(ER)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(ES)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(ET)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(EU)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(EV)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(EW)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(EX)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(EY)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[f]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(EZ)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(FA)
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(FL)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(FM)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(FN)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(FO)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice(FP) of the wicked,(FQ)
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(FR)
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(FU)
12 Mockers resent correction,(FX)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(GA)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(GB)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(GC)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(GD)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(GG)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(GH)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(GI)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(GO)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(GP)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(GQ) of the wicked,(GR)
but gracious words are pure(GS) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(GT)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(GW)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(GX)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(GY)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
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