Proverbs 11:9-21

⁹With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.

¹⁰When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

¹¹Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great; by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.

¹²The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.

¹³Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.

¹⁴Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.

¹⁵Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.

¹⁶A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.

¹⁷A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.

¹⁸The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.

¹⁹An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.

²⁰Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

²¹Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.