Proverbs 11:20–31

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,v

but he delightsw in those whose ways are blameless.x

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free.y

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generousz person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.a

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

but evil comes to one who searches for it.b

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,c

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.d

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise.e

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,f

and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their dueg on earth,

how much more the ungodly and the sinner!