Proverbs 11

1 Balances of deceit [are] an abomination of Yahweh, but {an accurate weight} delights him.

2 Pride comes, then disgrace comes, but wisdom [is] with the humble.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4 Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless will keep his ways straight, but the wicked will fall by his wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will save them, but by a scheme the treacherous will be taken captive.

7 With the death of a wicked person, hope will die, and the expectation of the godless perishes.

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked enters into it.

9 With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When good [is with] the righteous, [the] city rejoices, and with the perishing of the wicked, jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright, a city will be exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked, it will be overthrown.

12 He who lacks {sense} belittles his neighbor, but a person of intelligence will remain silent.

13 A gossip walks [about] telling a secret, but the trustworthy in spirit keeps [the] matter.

14 Where there is no guidance, a nation shall fall, but [there is] safety in an abundance of counsel.

15 He will suffer trouble when he loans to a stranger, but he who refuses a pledge is safe.

16 A woman of grace receives honor, but the ruthless gets wealth.

17 A person of kindness rewards himself, but a cruel [person] harms his own flesh.

18 The wicked earns {deceptive gain}, but he who sows righteousness, a {true reward}.

19 He who is steadfast in righteousness [is] to life as he who pursues evil [is] to death.

20 An abomination of Yahweh [are] the {crooked of heart}, but his delight [are] {those with blameless ways}.

21 {Rest assured}, the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A ring of gold in [the] snout of a pig [is] a woman [who is] beautiful but without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good, but the expectation of the wicked, wrath.

24 There is one who gives yet {grows richer}, but he who withholds {what is right} only [finds] need.

25 A person of blessing will be enriched, and he who gives water also will be refreshed.

26 He who withholds grain, the people curse him, but a blessing [is] for the head of him who sells.

27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.

28 He who trusts in his wealth [is] he who will fall, but like a green leaf the righteous will flourish.

29 He who brings trouble [to] his household, he will inherit wind, and a fool will serve the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who captures souls [is] wise.

31 If the righteous on earth will be repaid, {how much more} the wicked and 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]. Literally "a full stone" or "a pure stone"
• [b]. Literally "heart"
• [c]. Or "people"
• [d]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [e]. Or "does, makes"
• [f]. Literally "gain of deception"
• [g]. Literally "a reward of truth"
• [h]. Hebrew "and"
• [i]. Literally "crooked ones of heart"; "heart" may also be translated "mind"
• [j]. Literally "blameless ones of ways"
• [k]. Literally "Hand to hand"
• [l]. Or "seed"
• [m]. Literally "adding more"
• [n]. Literally "from what is right"
• [o]. Or "breath, spirit"
• [p]. Or "persons," or "inner selves"
• [q]. Literally "more for"