Proverbs 11:12–17

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,

but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,

but victory is won through many advisers.

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.

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,

but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

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.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:

But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets:

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall:

But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

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.

12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;

a sensible person keeps quiet.

13 A gossip goes around telling secrets,

but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls;

there is safety in having many advisers.

15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;

it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

16 A gracious woman gains respect,

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Your kindness will reward you,

but your cruelty will destroy you.

12 People without good sense find fault with their neighbors,

but those with understanding keep quiet.

13 Gossips can’t keep secrets,

but a trustworthy person can.

14 Without leadership a nation falls,

but lots of good advice will save it.

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.

12 He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom;

But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.

14 Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth;

But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

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.

12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

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.

12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, 

but a person who has understanding keeps quiet. 

13 Whoever gossips gives away secrets, 

but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret. 

14 A nation will fall when there is no direction, 

but with many advisers there is victory. 

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. 

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man with understanding keeps silent.

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,

but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14 Without guidance, people fall,

but with many counselors there is deliverance.

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.

12 Whoever belittles another lacks sense,

but an intelligent person remains silent.

13 A gossip goes about telling secrets,

but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.

14 Where there is no guidance, a nation falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

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.

12 He who lacks sense belittles his neighbor,

but a person of intelligence will remain silent.

13 A gossip walks about telling a secret,

but the trustworthy in spirit keeps the matter.

14 Where there is no guidance, a nation shall fall,

but there is safety in an abundance of counsel.

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.

12 A person who has no sense makes fun of his neighbor.

But a man who has understanding controls his tongue.

13 Those who talk about others tell secrets.

But those who can be trusted keep things to themselves.

14 Without the guidance of good leaders a nation falls.

But many good advisers can save it.

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.

12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,

But a man of understanding keeps silent.

13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no guidance the people fall,

But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

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.