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Proverbs 11

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1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright saves them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.
7 When the wicked die, their hope perishes, and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.
8 The righteous are delivered from trouble, and the wicked get into it instead.
9 With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent.
13 A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.
14 Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble, but there is safety in refusing to do so.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, but she who hates virtue is covered with shame. The timid become destitute, but the aggressive gain riches.
17 Those who are kind reward themselves, but the cruel do themselves harm.
18 The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but whoever pursues evil will die.
20 Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21 Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.
25 A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.
26 The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.
31 If the righteous are repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
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Proverbs 11:30-31

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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Or [an army]
  • [b]. Compare Gk Syr: Heb lacks [but she . . . shame]
  • [c]. Gk: Heb lacks [The timid . . . destitute]
  • [d]. Cn: Heb [fall]
  • [e]. Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb [a wise man]

Proverbs 11 Commentaries

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.