Proverbs 11

1 False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him.

2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

3 When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.

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5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.

7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.

9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

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12 A man void of understanding sneers at citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

13 A double-tongued man discloses the counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.

14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.

16 A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.

17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly in death.

20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.

21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.

22 As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.

23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

24 There are who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are also who gather, have less.

25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives .

27 He that devises good seeks good favour: but him that seeks after evil, shall overtake him.

28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.

29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.

30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

31 If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Appendix
• [b]. the Alexandrine text reads: “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them.”
• [c]. Comp. Heb.
• [d]. there is no verse 4. The Alexandrine text has this.
• [e]. Gr. right divides.
• [f]. See Appendix which gives the Alexandrine text as: “[note - Part of verse 10.]— but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation.”
• [g]. there is no verse 11, but the Alexandrine text reads.
• [h]. See chap 20.27.
• [i]. Or, governance.
• [j]. Gr. raises.
• [k]. Gr. manly.
• [l]. Gr. diminished.
• [m]. See 1 Tim 5.8.
• [n]. See 1 Pet.