Proverbs 11

1 A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.

2 Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.

3 The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.

4 Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.

5 The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.

7 When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.

8 The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.

9 The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.

10 When it goeth well with the just, the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish, there shall be praise.

11 By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.

12 He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.

13 He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.

14 Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.

15 He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of snares, shall be secure.

16 A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.

17 A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.

18 The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.

19 Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.

20 A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.

21 Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.

22 A golden ring in a swine’s snout, a woman fair and foolish.

23 The desire of the just is all good, the expectation of the wicked is indignation.

24 Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.

25 The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

26 He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.

27 Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things, shall be oppressed by them.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.

29 He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.

30 The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls is wise.

31 If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked 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.