Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord,^[a] but an accurate weight is His delight.^[b]

2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.^[c]

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.^[d]

4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.^[e]

5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.^[f]

7 When the wicked dies, his expectation comes to nothing, and hope placed in wealth^[g] ^[h] vanishes.^[i]

8 The righteous is rescued from trouble; in his place, the wicked goes in.^[j]

9 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,^[k] but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.^[l]

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a man with understanding keeps silent.^[m]

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but the trustworthy keeps a confidence.^[n]

14 Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.^[o]

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it,^[p] but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor, but violent^[q] men gain [only] riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.^[r]

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.^[s]

19 Genuine righteousness [leads] to life,^[t] but pursuing evil [leads] to death.

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.^[u]

21 Be assured^[v] that the wicked will not go unpunished,^[w] but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

23 The desire of the righteous [turns out] well,^[x] but the hope of the wicked [leads to] wrath.^[y]

24 One person gives freely, yet gains more;^[z] another withholds what is right, only to become poor.^[aa]

25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.^[ab]

26 People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

27 The one who searches for what is good^[ac] finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.^[ad]

29 The one who brings ruin on his household will inherit the wind, and a fool will be a slave to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence^[ae] takes lives.^[af]

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and sinful.

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Proverbs 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Verse 1 However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord. Verse 2 . Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. Verse 3 . An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. Verse 4 . ( proverbs 11:5-6 ) The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. Verse 7 . When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish. Verse 8 . The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead. Verse 9 . Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of ( proverbs 11:10-11 ) down. Verse 12 . A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success. Verse 13 . A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it. Verse 14 . We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others. Verse 15 . The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies. Verse 16 . A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth. Verse 17 . A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself. Verse 18 . He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it. Verse 19 . True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction. Verse 20 . Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. Verse 21 . Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners. Verse 22 . Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments. Verse 23 . The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves. Verse 24 . A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing. Verse 25 . Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren. Verse 26 . We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage. Verse 27 . Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves. Verse 28 . The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful. Verse 29 . He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. Verse 30 . The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many. Verse 31 . Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.