Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(A)

Read full chapter

Riches don’t help in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness rescues from death.

Read full chapter

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:16 Or ruthless

16 A gracious woman gains honor;
    violent men gain only wealth.
17 Kind persons benefit themselves,
    but cruel people harm themselves.
18 The wicked earn false wages,
    but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.

Read full chapter

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,(A)
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.(B)

Read full chapter

28 Those who trust in their wealth will wither,
    but the righteous will thrive like leafy trees.

Read full chapter

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(A)
but whoever earns it through labor[a] will multiply it.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon [his] hand

11 Riches gotten quickly[a] will dwindle,
    but those who acquire them gradually become wealthy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 LXX; MT from meaninglessness

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(A)

Read full chapter

16 Better a little with fear of the Lord
    than a great treasure with turmoil.

Read full chapter

27 The one who profits dishonestly(A) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(B)

Read full chapter

27 Those who acquire things unjustly gain trouble for their house,
    but those who hate bribes will live.

Read full chapter

A bribe(A) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.(B)

Read full chapter

A bribe seems magical in the eyes of those who give it,
    granting success to all who use it.

Read full chapter

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,(A)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

Read full chapter

17 Stolen bread is sweet,
    but afterward the mouth is full of gravel.

Read full chapter

21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(A)

Read full chapter

21 Inheritance gained quickly at first
    won’t bless later on.

Read full chapter

The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.(A)

Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist,[a] a pursuit of death.[b][c](B)

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Or a breath blown away
  2. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
  3. Proverbs 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death

The plans of the diligent end up in profit,
    but those who hurry end up with loss.
Those who gain treasure with lies
    are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to act with justice.

Read full chapter

14 A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe,[a] fierce rage.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Lit a bribe in the bosom

14 A secret gift calms anger,
    and a hidden bribe removes[a] furious wrath.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Heb lacks removes.

Better a poor man who lives with integrity(A)
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.[a](B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

Better to be poor and walk in innocence
    than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.

Read full chapter