Proverbs 11

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

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

2 When ³pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.

3 The ⁴integrity of the upright will guide them, But the ⁵crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.

4 ⁶Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But ⁷righteousness delivers from death.

5 The ⁸righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But ⁹the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the treacherous will ¹⁰be caught by their own greed.

7 When a wicked man dies, his ¹¹expectation will perish, And the ¹²hope of strong men perishes.

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, But the wicked takes his place.

9 With his ¹³mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the ¹⁴righteous will be delivered.

10 When it ¹⁵goes 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 ¹⁶who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy * ¹⁷conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no ¹⁸guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

15 He who is ¹⁹guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

16 A ²⁰gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches.

17 The ²¹merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who ²²sows righteousness gets a true reward.

19 He who is steadfast in ²³righteousness will attain to life, And ²⁴he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the ²⁵blameless in their walk are His ²⁶delight.

21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ²⁷ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the ²⁸expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

25 The ²⁹generous man will be prosperous, And he who ³⁰waters will himself be watered.

26 He who withholds grain, the ³¹people will curse him, But ³²blessing will be on the head of him who ³³sells it.

27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But ³⁴he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.

28 He who ³⁵trusts in his riches will fall, But ³⁶the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

29 He who ³⁷troubles his own house will ³⁸inherit wind, And ³⁹the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.

30 The fruit of the righteous is ⁴⁰a tree of life, And ⁴¹he who is wise wins souls.

31 If ⁴²the righteous will be rewarded in the 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.