Proverbs 11:1-31 CEV

[1] The LORD hates anyone who cheats, but he likes everyone who is honest. [2] Too much pride can put you to shame. It's wiser to be humble. [3] If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty. [4] When God is angry, money won't help you. Obeying God is the only way to be saved from death. [5] If you are truly good, you will do right; if you are wicked, you will be destroyed by your own sin. [6] Honesty can keep you safe, but if you can't be trusted, you trap yourself. [7] When the wicked die, their hopes die with them. [8] Trouble goes right past the LORD's people and strikes the wicked. [9] Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense. [10] When honest people prosper and the wicked disappear, the whole city celebrates. [11] When God blesses his people, their city prospers, but deceitful liars can destroy a city. [12] It's stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet. [13] A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret. [14] A city without wise leaders will end up in ruin; a city with many wise leaders will be kept safe. [15] It's a dangerous thing to guarantee payment for someone's debts. Don't do it! [16] A gracious woman will be respected, but a man must work hard to get rich. [17] Kindness is rewarded- but if you are cruel, you hurt yourself. [18] Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded. [19] Always do the right thing, and you will live; keep on doing wrong, and you will die. [20] The LORD hates sneaky people, but he likes everyone who lives right. [21] You can be sure of this: All crooks will be punished, but God's people won't. [22] A beautiful woman who acts foolishly is like a gold ring on the snout of a pig. [23] Good people want what is best, but troublemakers hope to stir up trouble. [24] Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy. [25] Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return. [26] Charge too much for grain, and you will be cursed; sell it at a fair price, and you will be praised. [27] Try hard to do right, and you will win friends; go looking for trouble, and you will find it. [28] Trust in your wealth, and you will be a failure, but God's people will prosper like healthy plants. [29] Fools who cause trouble in the family won't inherit a thing. They will end up as slaves of someone with good sense. [30] Live right, and you will eat from the life-giving tree. And if you act wisely, others will follow. [31] If good people are rewarded here on this earth, all who are cruel and mean will surely be punished.