Proverbs 11:5

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall straighten his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:5

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way
Or "make [it] plain" ^F6; that is, the righteousness of those who are perfect in Christ, complete in him, perfectly justified by his righteousness; that righteousness makes their way plain; it is the direct way, the highway, the pathway to eternal life and happiness; see ( Proverbs 12:28 ) ; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness;
or, "in his wickedness" ^F7: in his own wicked way, which he has chosen and delights to walk in; he shall stumble therein, and fall into ruin and destruction, into hell and damnation: or by means or because of it he will fall; his wickedness will be the cause of his fall; as it will be the cause of the fall of Babylon, ( Revelation 18:2 Revelation 18:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (rvyt) "rectam facit", Cocceius; "complanat viam ejus", Schultens.
F7 (wtevrb) "in impietate sua", Tigurine version, Montanus, Baynus, Michaelis; "improbitate sua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in injustitia sua", Cocceius; "in improbitate sua turbulenta", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:5 In-Context

3 The perfection of the upright shall guide them in the way, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness shall deliver from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall straighten his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors shall be imprisoned in their own sin.

7 When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of unjust men shall perish.