Proverbs 11

1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight.

2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them.

4 Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving.

7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil [men] perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life, so he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.

20 The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in [their] way are his delight.

21 Hand for hand! an evil [man] shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 A fair woman who is without discretion, is [as] a gold ring in a swine's snout.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but [it tendeth] only to want.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'perfect:' lit. 'whole,' 'full.'
• [b]. Or 'modest:' see 'humbly,' Mic. 6.8.
• [c]. Or 'treacherous,' as ver. 6: see ch. 2.22.
• [d]. Or 'an impious man.'
• [e]. Or 'friend,' as often: so ver. 12.
• [f]. Or 'sense.'
• [g]. Or 'victory;' and so ch. 21.31; 24.6.
• [h]. Or 'a stranger:' see Note, chs. 5.10; 27.2.
• [i]. Lit. 'those that strike [hands].'
• [j]. Or 'graceful.'
• [k]. Or 'The kind man doeth good to himself.'
• [l]. Or 'a work that deceiveth him.'
• [m]. Or 'true righteousness.'
• [n]. Or 'Certainly,' as in ch. 16.5.
• [o]. Lit. 'The blessing soul.'
• [p]. Or 'he that winneth souls is wise.' All the adjectives in vers. 29-31 are in the singular. In general this is denoted by the addition of '[man].'