Proverbs 11

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but delights in an accurate weight.

2 When pride comes, so does shame, but wisdom brings humility.

3 Integrity guides the virtuous, but dishonesty ruins the treacherous.

4 Riches don't help in the day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.

5 The righteousness of the innocent makes their path straight, but the wicked fall in their wickedness.

6 Those who do right are saved by their righteousness, but the untrustworthy are caught by their own desires.

7 When the wicked die, their hope perishes. Yes, any hope based on money perishes.

8 The righteous are saved from distress, and the wicked take their place.

9 The godless destroy their neighbors by their words, but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.

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

11 A city is honored by the blessing of the virtuous; it is destroyed by the words of the wicked.

12 Whoever despises their neighbor lacks sense; a sensible person keeps quiet.

13 A slanderer walks around revealing secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14 Without guidance, a people will fall, but there is victory with many counselors.

15 Guaranteeing the debt of a stranger brings big trouble, but the one who refuses to shake hands will be secure.

16 A gracious woman gains honor; violent men gain only wealth.

17 Kind persons benefit themselves, but cruel people harm themselves.

18 The wicked earn false wages, but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.

19 The righteous are headed toward life, but those who pursue evil, toward death.

20 The LORD detests a crooked heart, but he favors those whose path is innocent.

21 The evil person will surely not go unpunished, but the children of the righteous will escape.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig's nose is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desires of the righteous end up well, but the expectations of the wicked bring wrath.

24 Those who give generously receive more, but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy.

25 Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

26 People curse those who hoard grain, but they bless those who sell it.

27 Those who look for good find favor, but those who seek evil—it will come to them.

28 Those who trust in their wealth will wither, but the righteous will thrive like leafy trees.

29 Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind. The fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the wise gather lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the wicked and sinners?

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]. Or the heads of those
• [b]. Or LXX, Syr violence takes lives away