Through My Bible Yr 03 – October 02
Proverbs 11:14 – 12:28
Proverbs 11
14 Without guidance people fall,
but in many advisors there is safety.
15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble,
but one who hates to shake hands [1] remains secure.
16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor,
but ruthless men take hold of riches. [2]
17 A merciful man benefits his own soul,
but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 Just as righteousness leads to life,
pursuing evil leads to death.
20 Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord,
but his favor rests on those whose way has integrity.
21 Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished,
but the children of the righteous will escape.
22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good.
The hope of the wicked leads to fury.
24 One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases.
Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty.
25 A person who spreads blessings will be enriched.
One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed.
26 People curse the person who hoards grain,
but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it.
27 Whoever searches for good seeks favor,
but whoever pursues evil will find it.
28 Whoever trusts his wealth will fall,
but righteous people will flourish like green plants.
29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,
and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart.
30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life,
and one who harvests souls is wise.
31 If a righteous person is paid back on earth,
how much more a wicked person or a sinner!
More Examples of Righteous Behavior
Proverbs 12
1 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
but he will condemn a schemer.
3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted.
4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband,
but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouths of the upright will save them.
7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more,
but the house of the righteous continues to stand.
8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks,
but a person with a twisted heart will be despised.
9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant
than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread.
10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 A person who works his land will have enough food,
but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense.
12 A wicked man covets the fortress [3] of evil people,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person,
but a righteous person gets out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good,
and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him.
15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him,
but whoever listens to advice is wise.
16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known,
but a sensible person overlooks an insult.
17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness,
but a lying witness is deceitful.
18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips are established forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil,
but for those who promote peace there will be joy.
21 No disaster will strike a righteous person,
but wicked people are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord,
but those who act truthfully gain his favor.
23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity.
24 Hardworking hands will rule,
but laziness results in forced labor. [4]
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word brings him joy.
26 A righteous person guides his neighbor, [5]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy person does not roast his game,
but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
and there is no death in following this path. [6]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:15 Or make a deal
- Proverbs 11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⎣and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⎦ but ruthless men take hold of riches.
- Proverbs 12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain.
- Proverbs 12:24 Or leads to debtor’s prison
- Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
- Proverbs 12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
