Proverbs 11:5

5 The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:5

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way
Or "make [it] plain" ^F6; that is, the righteousness of those who are perfect in Christ, complete in him, perfectly justified by his righteousness; that righteousness makes their way plain; it is the direct way, the highway, the pathway to eternal life and happiness; see ( Proverbs 12:28 ) ; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness;
or, "in his wickedness" ^F7: in his own wicked way, which he has chosen and delights to walk in; he shall stumble therein, and fall into ruin and destruction, into hell and damnation: or by means or because of it he will fall; his wickedness will be the cause of his fall; as it will be the cause of the fall of Babylon, ( Revelation 18:2 Revelation 18:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (rvyt) "rectam facit", Cocceius; "complanat viam ejus", Schultens.
F7 (wtevrb) "in impietate sua", Tigurine version, Montanus, Baynus, Michaelis; "improbitate sua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in injustitia sua", Cocceius; "in improbitate sua turbulenta", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:5 In-Context

3 Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin.

4 Riches are of no help on the day of fury, but righteousness saves from death.

5 The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.

6 Decent people are saved by their righteousness, but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed.

7 At the death of a wicked person, hope vanishes. Moreover, his confidence in strength vanishes.