Proverbs 11:4-23

⁴Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.

⁵The goodness of the innocent keeps them on track, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

⁶The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.

⁷When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.

⁸The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.

⁹Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.

¹⁰The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.

¹¹Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.

¹²People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.

¹³A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.

¹⁴A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.

¹⁵You'll get into trouble if you guarantee a stranger's loans—you're far safer if you refuse to make such pledges.

¹⁶A gracious woman holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.

¹⁷If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.

¹⁸The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.

¹⁹Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.

²⁰The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.

²¹You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.

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

²³Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.