14
Where there is
1no guidance, a people falls,
2but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15
3Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16
4A gracious woman gets honor, and
5violent men get riches.
17
6A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who
7sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness
8will live, but
9he who pursues evil will die.
20
Those of
10crooked heart are
11an abomination to the LORD, but those of
12blameless ways are
13his delight.
21
14Be assured,
15an evil person will not go unpunished, but
16the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22
Like
17a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
18the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24
19One gives
20freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25
21Whoever brings blessing
22will be enriched, and
23one who waters will himself be watered.
26
24The people curse him who holds back grain, but
25a blessing is on the head of him who
26sells it.
27
Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to
27him who searches for it.
28
Whoever
28trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will
29flourish like a green leaf.
29
Whoever
30troubles his own household will
31inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30
The fruit of the righteous is
32a tree of life, and whoever
33captures souls is wise.
31
If
34the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!