Proverbs 11:9-11

Living Bible

⁹Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds.^[a]

¹⁰The whole city celebrates a good man’s success—and also the godless man’s death.

¹¹The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper, but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.

Proverbs 11:9 Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds, or “When a godless man slanders his neighbor, the charges won’t stick because everyone knows his reputation.”

Proverbs 11:9-11

New International Version

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

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

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

Living Bible (TLB)

New International Version (NIV)