Mishle 11

1 1 A balance of mirmah (dishonesty, deception) is abomination to Hashem, but an even shelemah (perfect stone, just weight) is His ratzon.

2 When zadon (pride) cometh, then cometh kalon (shame, disgrace), but with the humble is chochmah.

3 The integrity of the yesharim (upright ones) shall guide them, but the deceit of the bogedim (treacherous ones) shall destroy them.

4 Hon (riches) profit not in the yom evrah (day of wrath), but tzedakah (righteousness) delivereth from mavet.

5 The tzidkat tamim (righteousness of the blameless) shall make his derech straight, but the rasha shall fall by his own evil.

6 The tzidkat yesharim shall deliver them, but bogedim (treacherous ones) shall be caught in their own evil desire.

7 At the mot adam rasha, his tikveh shall perish, and the expectation of his [surviving] strong ones perisheth.

8 The tzaddik is delivered out of tzoros, but the rashah cometh on to take his place.

9 A chanef (hypocrite, man without G-d) with his peh (mouth) destroyeth his re’a, but through da’as (knowledge) shall the tzaddikim be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the tzaddikim, the city rejoiceth, and when the resha’im perish, there is rinnah (joyful shouting).

11 By the birkat yesharim the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the peh (mouth) of the resha’im.

12 He that is devoid of lev [of understanding] despiseth his re’a, but an ish tevunot holdeth his peace.

13 A bringer of rekhil (gossip, rekhilut) revealeth sod (secrets, confidences), but he that is of a ne’eman ruach concealeth the matter.

14 Where no strategic policy is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of yoetz (counsellors, advisors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

15 He that is guaranty for a zar shall suffer for it, and he that hateth pledging collateral is secure.

16 An eshet chen retaineth kavod (honor, respect), but ruthless men retain osher.

17 The ish chesed (merciful man) doeth good to his own nefesh, but he that is cruel harmeth his own self.

18 The reshah worketh a wage of sheker, but to him that soweth tzedakah (righteousness) shall be a sachar emes (sure reward).

19 As tzedakah (righteousness) leadeth to Chayyim, so he that pursueth ra’ah pursueth it to his own mot (death).

20 They that are of a perverse lev are an abomination to Hashem, but such as are upright in their derech are His delight.

21 Though yad join in yad, the rah shall not go unpunished, but the zera of the tzaddikim shall be delivered.

22 As a ring of zahav in the snout of a chazir, so is an isha yafah which is without ta’am (judgment, discretion).

23 The ta’avat tzaddikim is only tov, but the tikveh of the resha’im is wrath.

24 There is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth more; and there is that which withholdeth more than is yosher, but it leadeth to machsor (want, need, poverty).

25 The nefesh brocha (generous person) shall be made to prosper, and he that watereth shall be refreshed also himself.

26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him, but brocha shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh tov procureth ratzon, but he that seeketh ra’ah, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the tzaddik shall flourish like the green leaf.

29 He that troubleth his own bais shall inherit the ruach (wind), and the fool shall be eved to the chacham lev.

30 The p’ri tzedek is Etz Chayyim, and he that winneth nefashot is chacham (wise).

31 If the tzaddik are recompensed on ha’aretz (the earth), much more the rashah and the choteh (sinner).

Mishle 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.