Proverbs 11:28

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 11:28 in Other Translations

KJV
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
ESV
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
NLT
28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
MSG
28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
CSB
28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.

Proverbs 11:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:28

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall
As leaves in autumn, which are withered and dry. To trust in riches is to trust in uncertain things; things not to be depended on, being here today and gone tomorrow; it is like leaning upon a broken staff, which giving way, the person falls: and so the fall of Babylon will be, while she is trusting in and boasting of her riches and grandeur, ( Revelation 18:7 Revelation 18:8 ) ; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch;
that abides in the tree, is alive and green, full of leaves, and laden with fruit: so the righteous are as branches in Christ, and receive life and nourishment from him, and abide in him; and bring forth fruit and flourish, like palm trees and cedars, in the house of the Lord, and grow in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ; see ( Jeremiah 17:7 Jeremiah 17:8 ) .

Proverbs 11:28 In-Context

26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Job 31:24-28; S Psalms 49:6; S Psalms 52:7; Psalms 62:10; Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 48:7; Mark 10:25; 1 Timothy 6:17
  • 2. Psalms 1:3; Psalms 52:8; Psalms 92:12-14; Jeremiah 17:8
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