Proverbs 11:15-17

Good News Translation

¹⁵If you promise to pay a stranger's debt, you will regret it. You are better off if you don't get involved.

¹⁶A gracious woman is respected, but a woman without virtue is a disgrace.

Lazy people will never have money,^[a] but aggressive people will get rich.

¹⁷You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself.

Proverbs 11:16 One ancient translation but a woman … money; Hebrew does not have these words.

Proverbs 11:15-17

New International Version

¹⁵Whoever puts up security^(A) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.^(B)

¹⁶A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(C)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Good News Translation (GNT)

New International Version (NIV)