Proverbs 11:1-25

The LORD hates anyone who cheats, but he likes everyone who is honest. Too much pride can put you to shame. It's wiser to be humble. If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty. When God is angry, money won't help you. Obeying God is the only way to be saved from death. If you are truly good, you will do right; if you are wicked, you will be destroyed by your own sin. Honesty can keep you safe, but if you can't be trusted, you trap yourself. When the wicked die, their hopes die with them. Trouble goes right past the LORD's people and strikes the wicked. Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense. When honest people prosper and the wicked disappear, the whole city celebrates. Good people bring prosperity to their city, but deceitful liars can destroy a city. It's stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet. A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret. A city without wise leaders will end up in ruin; a city with many wise leaders will be kept safe. It's a dangerous thing to guarantee payment for someone's debts. Don't do it! A gracious woman will be respected, but a ruthless man will only get rich. Kindness is rewarded— but if you are cruel, you hurt yourself. Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded. Always do the right thing, and you will live; keep on doing wrong, and you will die. The LORD hates sneaky people, but he likes everyone who lives right. You can be sure of this: All crooks will be punished, but God's people won't. A beautiful woman who acts foolishly is like a gold ring on the snout of a pig. Good people want what is best, but troublemakers hope to stir up trouble. Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy. Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

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