Proverbs 11:16-31

A gracious and good woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect]. The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him], But the cruel and callous man does himself harm. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying]. [Hos 10:12; Gal 6:8, 9; James 3:18] He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But he who pursues evil attains his own death. 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] The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it], But a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it. He who diligently seeks good seeks favor and grace, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall, But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf. He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing), And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted. The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity]. [Matt 4:19; 1 Cor 9:19; James 5:20] If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth [with godly blessings], How much more [will] the wicked and the sinner [be repaid with punishment]!

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