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Proverbs 11-19
New King James Version
Proverbs 11-19
New King James Version
The Folly of Wickedness
2 When pride comes, then comes (B)shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide (C)them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 (D)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But (E)righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will [c]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own (F)wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will (G)perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 (H)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 (I)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is (J)exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who [d]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
14 (M)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 (O)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 (P)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (Q)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (R)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 (S)Though they join [g]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (T)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 [h]discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (U)is wrath.
24 There is one who (V)scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 (W)The generous soul will be made rich,
(X)And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse (Y)him who withholds grain,
But (Z)blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
29 He who troubles his own house (AD)will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be (AE)servant to the wise of heart.
31 (AG)If the righteous will be [k]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
The House of the Righteous Shall Stand
12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the (AH)root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 (AI)An[l] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is (AJ)like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 (AK)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
(AL)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 (AM)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
(AN)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 (AO)Better is the one who is [m]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 (AP)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (AQ)He who [n]tills his land will be satisfied with (AR)bread,
But he who follows [o]frivolity (AS)is devoid of [p]understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 (AT)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
(AU)But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 (AV)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
(AW)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 (AX)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 (AY)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.
17 (AZ)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 (BA)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
(BB)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (BC)No grave [q]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 (BD)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
23 (BE)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 (BF)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Wisdom Loves Righteousness
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
(BI)But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 (BJ)A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 (BK)He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 (BL)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 (BM)Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 (BN)There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
(BO)But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but (BP)strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 (BQ)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But (BR)when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who (BS)despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 (BT)The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from (BU)the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [r]gains (BV)favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 (BW)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But (BX)a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who [s]disdains correction,
But (BY)he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 (BZ)Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But (CA)the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
25 (CD)The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
The Ways of Life and Death
14 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
(CE)But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
(CF)But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the [w]trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But (CI)knowledge is easy to him who understands.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of (CJ)knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 (CL)The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And (CP)the end of mirth may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (CQ)filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [y]from (CR)above.
15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 (CS)A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (CT)The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But [z]the rich has many (CU)friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
(CV)But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [aa]idle chatter leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly.
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 (CX)The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
31 (DB)He who oppresses the poor reproaches (DC)his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But (DD)the righteous has a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But (DE)what is in the heart of fools is made known.
35 (DG)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.
A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
15 A (DH)soft answer turns away wrath,
But (DI)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
(DJ)But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 (DK)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A [ae]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise [ag]disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 (DN)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who (DO)follows righteousness.
11 (DR)Hell[ah] and [ai]Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more (DS)the hearts of the sons of men.
12 (DT)A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13 (DU)A merry heart makes a cheerful [aj]countenance,
But (DV)by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
(DW)But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 (DX)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 (DY)Better is a dinner of [ak]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 (DZ)A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 (EA)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 (EB)A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (EC)Folly is joy to him who is destitute of [al]discernment,
(ED)But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 (EE)Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And (EF)a word spoken [am]in due season, how good it is!
25 (EI)The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But (EJ)He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 (EK)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
(EL)But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 (EM)He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (EN)studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones [ao]healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 (EQ)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And (ER)before honor is humility.
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
16 The (ES)preparations[ap] of the heart belong to man,
(ET)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (EU)eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
5 (EY)Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [as]forces, none will go unpunished.
6 (EZ)In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And (FA)by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (FB)Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 (FE)Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights in the bag are His [at]work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For (FF)a throne is established by righteousness.
13 (FG)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (FH)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (FI)cloud of the latter rain.
16 (FJ)How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before [au]a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the [av]spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever (FK)trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of (FL)death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (FM)him on.
27 [aw]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (FN)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (FO)a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He [ax]purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 (FP)The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 (FQ)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
The Lord Tests Hearts
2 A wise servant will rule over (FS)a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
(FT)But the Lord tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
A liar listens eagerly to a [az]spiteful tongue.
5 (FU)He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
(FV)He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 (FW)Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
10 (FZ)Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet (GA)a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever (GB)rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore (GC)stop contention before a quarrel starts.
15 (GD)He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?
17 (GE)A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 (GF)A man devoid of [ba]understanding [bb]shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes [bc]surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And (GG)he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He who has a [bd]deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has (GH)a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe [bf]behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.
24 (GJ)Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A (GK)foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27 (GL)He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 (GM)Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower
18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all [bg]wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his (GN)own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in (GQ)judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 (GR)A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his (GS)soul.
8 (GT)The words of a [bh]talebearer are like [bi]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the [bj]inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong (GU)tower;
The righteous run to it and are [bk]safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 (GV)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 (GW)A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting (GX)lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 (GY)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 (GZ)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 (HA)He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers (HB)roughly.
24 A man who has friends [bl]must himself be friendly,
(HC)But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life
19 Better (HD)is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the Lord.
4 (HE)Wealth makes many friends,
But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A (HF)false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 (HG)All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go (HH)far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they [bm]abandon him.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
Much less (HJ)for a servant to rule over princes.
11 (HK)The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
(HL)And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
13 (HO)A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
(HP)And the contentions of a wife are a continual [bo]dripping.
17 (HV)He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise (HX)in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
(HY)Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is [br]kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 (HZ)The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
24 (IA)A lazy man buries his hand in the [bs]bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple (IB)will become wary;
(IC)Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is (ID)a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
(IF)And beatings for the backs of fools.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
- Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
- Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
- 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
- Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
- Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
- Proverbs 11:31 rewarded
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. A wife of valor
- Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
- Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 12:21 harm
- Proverbs 13:15 gives
- Proverbs 13:18 Lit. ignores
- Proverbs 13:23 uncultivated
- Proverbs 13:23 Lit. what is swept away
- Proverbs 13:24 early
- Proverbs 14:4 manger or feed trough
- Proverbs 14:9 Lit. guilt
- Proverbs 14:14 Lit. from above himself
- Proverbs 14:20 Lit. many are the lovers of the rich
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit. talk of the lips
- Proverbs 14:25 saves lives
- Proverbs 14:29 Lit. short of spirit
- Proverbs 14:34 shame or disgrace
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing
- Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
- Proverbs 15:7 spread
- Proverbs 15:11 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb. Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:13 face
- Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables
- Proverbs 15:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit. in its time
- Proverbs 15:24 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit. fat
- Proverbs 16:1 plans
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit. Roll
- Proverbs 16:4 Lit. evil
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit. hand to hand
- Proverbs 16:11 concern
- Proverbs 16:18 stumbling
- Proverbs 16:19 plunder
- Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial
- Proverbs 16:30 Lit. compresses
- Proverbs 17:1 Or sacrificial meals
- Proverbs 17:4 Lit. destructive
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. strikes the hands
- Proverbs 17:18 guaranty or collateral
- Proverbs 17:20 crooked
- Proverbs 17:22 Or makes medicine even better
- Proverbs 17:23 Under cover, lit. from the bosom
- Proverbs 18:1 sound wisdom
- Proverbs 18:8 gossip or slanderer
- Proverbs 18:8 A Jewish tradition wounds
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit. rooms of the belly
- Proverbs 18:10 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 18:24 So with Gr. mss., Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT may come to ruin
- Proverbs 19:7 Lit. are not
- Proverbs 19:8 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 19:13 Irritation
- Proverbs 19:16 Is reckless, lit. despises
- Proverbs 19:18 Lit. to put him to death; a Jewish tradition on his crying
- Proverbs 19:22 Lit. lovingkindness
- Proverbs 19:24 LXX, Syr. bosom; Tg., Vg. armpit
- Proverbs 19:28 Lit. witness of Belial, worthless witness
Proverbs 11-19
New International Version
Proverbs 11-19
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)
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(GZ)
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(HA)
16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(HD)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(HH)
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord(HM) evil is avoided.(HN)
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace(HO) with them.(HP)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.(HS)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.(HT)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.(HU)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.(HV)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.(HW)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(ID)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[h](IH)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(II)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(IK)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.(IV)
30 Whoever winks(IW) with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(IX)
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.(JB)
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor(JE) shows contempt for their Maker;(JF)
whoever gloats over disaster(JG) will not go unpunished.(JH)
6 Children’s children(JI) are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(JJ)
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.(JK)
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(JL)
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(JM)
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.(JN)
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(JQ)
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?(JT)
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(JU)
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.(JV)
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(JW)
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(KB) wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(KC)
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(KD)
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(KE)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(KF)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(KG)
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(KH)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(KI)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.(KL)
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(KO)
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(KP)
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(KS)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.(KT)
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.(KU)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?(KV)
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(KW)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift(KX) opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes(KY)
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged(KZ) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(LA)
23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(LF)
19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.(LG)
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!(LH)
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(LK)
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!(LQ)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.[k](LR)
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(LS)
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.(LT)
10 It is not fitting for a fool(LU) to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(LV)
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(LW)
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
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
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
- Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.