Proverbs 11:12-23
New King James Version
12 He who [a]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
14 (C)Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 (E)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But (F)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (G)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (H)death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 (I)Though they join [d]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (J)the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [e]discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (K)is wrath.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
- Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
- Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:22 taste
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.