Proverbs 11:17-27

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

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

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

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

21 Be assured^[e] that the wicked will not go unpunished,^[f] 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,^[g] but the hope of the wicked [leads to] wrath.^[h]

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

25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.^[k]

26 People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

27 The one who searches for what is good^[l] finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 11:3
• [b] Pr 10:2-3
• [c] Pr 10:16-17; 19:23
• [d] Pr 3:32; 12:22; 15:8-9,26
• [e] Lit Hand to hand
• [f] Pr 16:5
• [g] Pr 10:24; Ps 37:4-5; Jr 29:11
• [h] Pr 10:28; 11:7
• [i] Pr 11:25; 21:26; Ps 112:9
• [j] Pr 13:7; 22:16; 28:27
• [k] Pr 3:9-10; Mt 10:42
• [l] Php 4:8