Proverbs 11:8-18

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, But the wicked takes his place.

9 With his ¹mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the ²righteous will be delivered.

10 When it ³goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.

13 He ⁴who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy * ⁵conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no ⁶guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

15 He who is ⁷guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

16 A ⁸gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches.

17 The ⁹merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who ¹⁰sows righteousness gets a true reward.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 16:29
• 2. Proverbs 11:6
• 3. Proverbs 28:12
• 4. Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:13
• 5. Proverbs 19:11
• 6. Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 24:6
• 7. Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 27:13
• 8. Proverbs 31:28, 30
• 9. Matthew 5:7; Matthew 25:34-36
• 10. Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:8, 9; James 3:18

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "enters"
• [b] Lit "heart"
• [c] Lit "faithful of spirit"
• [d] Lit "deliverance"
• [e] Lit "those who strike hands"
• [f] Lit "good to his own soul"
• [g] Lit "troubles his flesh"