Proverbs 11:12-22

12 Whoever 1belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever 2goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is 3no guidance, a people falls, 4but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 5Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 6A gracious woman gets honor, and 7violent men get riches.
17 8A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who 9sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness 10will live, but 11he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of 12crooked heart are 13an abomination to the LORD, but those of 14blameless ways are 15his delight.
21 16Be assured, 17an evil person will not go unpunished, but 18the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like 19a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

Cross References 19

  • 1. Proverbs 14:21; [Matthew 7:1]
  • 2. Proverbs 20:19; Leviticus 19:16
  • 3. Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 24:6
  • 4. Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 24:6
  • 5. [Proverbs 6:1; Job 17:3]
  • 6. [Proverbs 31:30]
  • 7. [Luke 11:21]
  • 8. [Matthew 5:7]; See Matthew 25:34-40
  • 9. Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:8, 9; [James 3:18]
  • 10. Proverbs 10:16; Proverbs 19:23
  • 11. [Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:8]
  • 12. [Proverbs 17:20]
  • 13. Proverbs 12:22; Proverbs 16:5
  • 14. Proverbs 13:6; Psalms 119:1
  • 15. 1 Chronicles 29:17
  • 16. Proverbs 16:5
  • 17. Proverbs 12:7; [Psalms 37:2, 9]; See Isaiah 28:15-18
  • 18. See Psalms 112:2
  • 19. [Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21; Ezekiel 16:12]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.