Proverbs 11

Listen to Proverbs 11

1 ¹A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, ²but a just weight is his delight.

2 ³When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with ⁴the humble is wisdom.

3 ⁵The integrity of the upright guides them, ⁶but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4 ⁷Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, ⁸but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless ⁹keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

6 ¹⁰The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous ¹¹are taken captive by their lust.

7 When the wicked dies, his ¹²hope will perish, and ¹³the expectation of wealth^[a] perishes too.

8 ¹⁴The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.

9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 ¹⁵When 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 ¹⁶by the mouth of the wicked ¹⁷it is overthrown.

12 Whoever ¹⁸belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

13 Whoever ¹⁹goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

14 Where there is ²⁰no guidance, a people falls, ²¹but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

15 ²²Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

16 ²³A gracious woman gets honor, and ²⁴violent men get riches.

17 ²⁵A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who ²⁶sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness ²⁷will live, but ²⁸he who pursues evil will die.

20 Those of ²⁹crooked heart are ³⁰an abomination to the LORD, but those of ³¹blameless ways are ³²his delight.

21 ³³Be assured, ³⁴an evil person will not go unpunished, but ³⁵the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

22 Like ³⁶a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good; ³⁷the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

24 ³⁸One gives ³⁹freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

25 ⁴⁰Whoever brings blessing ⁴¹will be enriched, and ⁴²one who waters will himself be watered.

26 ⁴³The people curse him who holds back grain, but ⁴⁴a blessing is on the head of him who ⁴⁵sells it.

27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,^[b] but evil comes to ⁴⁶him who searches for it.

28 Whoever ⁴⁷trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will ⁴⁸flourish like a green leaf.

29 Whoever ⁴⁹troubles his own household will ⁵⁰inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is ⁵¹a tree of life, and whoever ⁵²captures souls is wise.

31 If ⁵³the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

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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.