Proverbs 11:15–18

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,

but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,

but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

16 A gracious woman gets honor,

and violent men get riches.

17 A man who is kind benefits himself,

but a cruel man hurts himself.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,

but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it:

And he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour:

And strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work:

But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer,

But one who hates being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,

But ruthless men retain riches.

17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,

But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,

But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

15 Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.

It is safer to avoid such promises.

16 A kind woman gets respect,

but cruel men get only wealth.

17 Kind people do themselves a favor,

but cruel people bring trouble on themselves.

18 An evil person really earns nothing,

but a good person will surely be rewarded.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it;

But he that hateth suretyship is secure.

16 A gracious woman obtaineth honor;

And violent men obtain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul;

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages;

But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

15 It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

15 Whoever guarantees a stranger’s loan will get into trouble, 

but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure. 

16 A gracious woman wins respect, 

but ruthless men gain riches. 

17 A merciful person helps himself, 

but a cruel person hurts himself. 

18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages, 

but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay. 

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,

he will suffer for it,

but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,

but violent men gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,

but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,

but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.

15 To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble,

but there is safety in refusing to do so.

16 A gracious woman gets honor,

but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.

The timid become destitute,

but the aggressive gain riches.

17 Those who are kind reward themselves,

but the cruel do themselves harm.

18 The wicked earn no real gain,

but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.

15 He will suffer trouble when he loans to a stranger,

but he who refuses a pledge is safe.

16 A woman of grace receives honor,

but the ruthless gets wealth.

17 A person of kindness rewards himself,

but a cruel person harms his own flesh.

18 The wicked earns deceptive gain,

but he who sows righteousness, a true reward.

15 Anyone who puts up money for what someone else owes will certainly suffer.

But a person who doesn’t agree to pay up for someone else is safe.

16 A woman who has a kind heart gains respect.

But men who are not kind gain only wealth.

17 A kind man benefits himself.

But a mean person brings trouble on himself.

18 Those who do what is wrong really earn nothing.

But those who plant what is right will certainly be rewarded.

15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,

But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

16 A gracious woman attains honor,

And ruthless men attain riches.

17 The merciful man does himself good,

But the cruel man does himself harm.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,

But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.