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Proverbs 11:9–14

With words an evil person can destroy a neighbor,

but a good person will escape by being resourceful.

10  When good people succeed, the city is happy.

When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.

11  Good people bless and build up their city,

but the wicked can destroy it with their words.

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.

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Proverbs 11:9–14 — The New International Version (NIV)

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,

but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — English Standard Version (ESV)

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:

But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:

And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — New Living Translation (NLT)

With their words, the godless destroy their friends,

but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;

they shout for joy when the wicked die.

11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper,

but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,

But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,

But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — American Standard Version (ASV)

With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor;

But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth;

And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted;

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, 

but righteous people are rescued by knowledge. 

10 When righteous people prosper, a city is glad. 

When wicked people die, there are songs of joy. 

11 With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, 

but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down. 

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. 

Proverbs 11:9–14 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,

but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,

and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,

but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When good is with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and with the perishing of the wicked, jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright, a city will be exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked, it will be overthrown.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

With their words ungodly people destroy their neighbors.

But those who do what is right escape because of their knowledge.

10 When those who do right succeed, their city is glad.

When those who do wrong die, people shout for joy.

11 The blessing of honest people builds up a city.

But the words of sinners destroy it.

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.

Proverbs 11:9–14 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,

But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

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.


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