Proverbs 11:25

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 in Other Translations

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

Proverbs 11:25 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat
Or, "the soul of blessing" ^F3: that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others, and wishes them well, and gives them good words; but bestows blessings on them, gives good things unto them liberally, cheerfully, and plentifully; and so is a blessing to the poor, and receives a blessing from them again; as such also do from the Lord, by whom they are "made fat"; or are blessed with temporal and spiritual blessings; and are in thriving and flourishing circumstances, both in soul and body. So he that comes full fraught with the blessing of the Gospel of Christ to others is enriched with it himself, and becomes more and more flourishing in gifts and grace; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself;
he that largely shares with others, like a flowing fountain of water, shall have an abundance communicated to him again from God, the inexhaustible fountain of mercies. Watering the plants in Christ's vineyard is one part of the work of a Gospel minister; "I have planted, Apollos watered" ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 ) ; and such who do their work well are watered, rewarded, refreshed, and comforted of God, being largely taught and richly furnished for such service by him; so the Targum,

``and he that teacheth, also he himself shall learn.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hkrb vpn) "anima benedictionis", Montanus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "anima benedictioni dedita", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:25 In-Context

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

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Chronicles 29:17; Isaiah 32:8
• 2. Proverbs 22:9; Matthew 5:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9