Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are disgusting to the LORD, but accurate weights are pleasing to him.

2 Arrogance comes, then comes shame, but wisdom remains with humble people.

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.

8 A righteous person is rescued from trouble, and a wicked person takes his place.

9 With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.

10 When righteous people prosper, a city is glad. When wicked people die, there are songs of joy.

11 With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down.

12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.

13 Whoever gossips gives away secrets, but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.

14 A nation will fall when there is no direction, but with many advisers there is victory.

15 Whoever guarantees a stranger's loan will get into trouble, but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure.

16 A gracious woman wins respect, but ruthless men gain riches.

17 A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself.

18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages, but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.

19 As righteousness leads to life, so whoever pursues evil finds his own death.

20 Devious people are disgusting to the LORD, but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent.

21 Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will escape.

22 [Like] a gold ring in a pig's snout, [so] is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste.

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

24 One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.

25 A generous person will be made rich, and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.

26 People will curse the one who hoards grain, but a blessing will be upon the head of the one who sells it.

27 Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will, but whoever looks for evil finds it.

28 Whoever trusts his riches will fall, but righteous people will flourish like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings trouble upon his family inherits [only] wind, and that stubborn fool becomes a slave to the wise in heart.

30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.

31 If the righteous person is rewarded on earth, how much more the wicked person 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.