Proverbs 11:14-24

14 Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.^[a]

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it,^[b] but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor, but violent^[c] men gain [only] riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.^[d]

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.^[e]

19 Genuine righteousness [leads] to life,^[f] but pursuing evil [leads] to death.

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.^[g]

21 Be assured^[h] that the wicked will not go unpunished,^[i] but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

23 The desire of the righteous [turns out] well,^[j] but the hope of the wicked [leads to] wrath.^[k]

24 One person gives freely, yet gains more;^[l] another withholds what is right, only to become poor.^[m]

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 15:22; 20:18; 24:6
• [b]. Pr 6:1-2; 17:18; 22:26
• [c]. Or ruthless
• [d]. Pr 11:3
• [e]. Pr 10:2-3
• [f]. Pr 10:16-17; 19:23
• [g]. Pr 3:32; 12:22; 15:8-9,26
• [h]. Lit Hand to hand
• [i]. Pr 16:5
• [j]. Pr 10:24; Ps 37:4-5; Jr 29:11
• [k]. Pr 10:28; 11:7
• [l]. Pr 11:25; 21:26; Ps 112:9
• [m]. Pr 13:7; 22:16; 28:27