Proverbs 11

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of^[a] their power comes to nothing.

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; S Job 6:2; Proverbs 20:10,23
• 2. Proverbs 16:11; Ezekiel 45:10
• 3. Proverbs 16:18
• 4. Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 29:23
• 5. ver 5; Proverbs 13:6
• 6. Ezekiel 27:27
• 7. S Job 20:20; S Ezekiel 7:19; Zephaniah 1:18
• 8. Genesis 7:1; S Proverbs 10:2
• 9. S 1 Kings 8:36
• 10. S ver 3; Proverbs 5:21-23; Proverbs 13:6; Proverbs 21:7
• 11. S Esther 7:9
• 12. S Job 8:13
• 13. S Proverbs 10:28
• 14. Proverbs 21:18
• 15. Proverbs 12:6; Jeremiah 45:5
• 16. S 2 Kings 11:20; Proverbs 28:12
• 17. S Esther 8:17
• 18. Proverbs 14:34
• 19. Proverbs 29:8
• 20. Proverbs 14:21
• 21. S Job 6:24
• 22. Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:13
• 23. S Proverbs 10:14
• 24. Proverbs 20:18
• 25. S 2 Samuel 15:34; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6
• 26. S Proverbs 6:1
• 27. Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 22:26-27
• 28. Proverbs 31:31
• 29. S Exodus 1:20; S Job 4:8; Hosea 10:12-13
• 30. S Deuteronomy 30:15; S Proverbs 10:2
• 31. 1 Samuel 2:6; Psalms 89:48; Proverbs 1:18-19; Ecclesiastes 7:2; Jeremiah 43:11
• 32. Proverbs 3:32
• 33. S Numbers 14:8
• 34. S 1 Chronicles 29:17; S Psalms 15:2; Psalms 101:1-4; S Psalms 119:1; Proverbs 12:2,22; Proverbs 15:9
• 35. Proverbs 16:5
• 36. 1 Chronicles 29:17; Isaiah 32:8
• 37. Proverbs 22:9; Matthew 5:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
• 38. Esther 7:10; Psalms 7:15-16
• 39. Job 31:24-28; S Psalms 49:6; S Psalms 52:7; Psalms 62:10; Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 48:7; Mark 10:25; 1 Timothy 6:17
• 40. Psalms 1:3; Psalms 52:8; Psalms 92:12-14; Jeremiah 17:8
• 41. Proverbs 14:19
• 42. S Genesis 2:9; S Proverbs 10:11; James 5:20
• 43. Proverbs 13:21; Jeremiah 25:29; Jeremiah 49:12; 1 Peter 4:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum "When the wicked die, their hope perishes;" / "all they expected from"