Proverbs 11:14-29

English Standard Version

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.
^24 (S)One gives ^(T)freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
^25 (U)Whoever brings blessing ^(V)will be enriched,
    and ^(W)one who waters will himself be watered.
^26 (X)The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but ^(Y)a blessing is on the head of him who ^(Z)sells it.
²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,^[a]
    but evil comes to ^(AA)him who searches for it.
²⁸ Whoever ^(AB)trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will ^(AC)flourish like a green leaf.
²⁹ Whoever ^(AD)troubles his own household will ^(AE)inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.