Proverbs 11:20-25 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 11:20-25 MSG (The Message)
GOD can’t stand deceivers, but oh how he relishes integrity. Count on this: The wicked won’t get off scot-free, and God’s loyal people will triumph. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful face on an empty head. The desires of good people lead straight to the best, but wicked ambition ends in angry frustration. The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Proverbs 11:20-25 KJV (King James Version)
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: But such as are upright in their way are his delight. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, So is a fair woman which is without discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good: But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 11:20-25 NASB1995 (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:20-25 NCV (New Century Version)
The LORD hates those with evil hearts but is pleased with those who are innocent. Evil people will certainly be punished, but those who do right will be set free. A beautiful woman without good sense is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. Those who do right only wish for good, but the wicked can expect to be defeated by God’s anger. Some people give much but get back even more. Others don’t give what they should and end up poor. Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped.
Proverbs 11:20-25 ASV (American Standard Version)
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight. Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman that is without discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want. The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 11:20-25 NIV (New International Version)
The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:20-25 NKJV (New King James Version)
Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
Proverbs 11:20-25 AMP (Amplified Bible)
The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the LORD, But those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight! Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be freed. As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion [her lack of character mocks her beauty]. The desire of the righteous brings only good, But the expectation of the wicked brings wrath. There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more; And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty. The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown]. [2 Cor 9:6-10]
Proverbs 11:20-25 NLT (New Living Translation)
The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment. Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:20-25 TPT (The Passion Translation)
The Lord can’t stand the stubborn heart bent toward evil, but he treasures those whose ways are pure. Assault your neighbor and you will certainly be punished, but God will rescue the children of the godly. A beautiful woman who abandons good morals is like a fine gold ring dangling from a pig’s snout. True lovers of God are filled with longings for what is pleasing and good, but the wicked can only expect doom. Generosity brings prosperity, but withholding from charity brings poverty. Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.
Proverbs 11:20-25 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.