Proverbs 11

1 Scales of deceit are hated by the Lord, but a true weight is his delight.

2 When pride comes, there comes shame, but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.

3 The righteousness of the upright will be their guide, but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction.

4 Wealth is of no profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness keeps a man safe from death.

5 The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall.

6 The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs.

7 At the death of an upright man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes to destruction.

8 The upright man is taken out of trouble, and in his place comes the sinner.

9 With his mouth the evil man sends destruction on his neighbour; but through knowledge the upright are taken out of trouble.

10 When things go well for the upright man, all the town is glad; at the death of sinners, there are cries of joy.

11 By the blessing of the upright man the town is made great, but it is overturned by the mouth of the evil-doer.

12 He who has a poor opinion of his neighbour has no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet.

13 He who goes about talking of others makes secrets public, but the true-hearted man keeps things covered.

14 When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but with a number of wise guides they will be safe.

15 He who makes himself responsible for a strange man will undergo much loss; but the hater of such undertakings will be safe.

16 A woman who is full of grace is honoured, but a woman hating righteousness is a seat of shame: those hating work will undergo loss, but the strong keep their wealth.

17 The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.

18 The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness.

19 So righteousness gives life; but he who goes after evil gets death for himself.

20 The uncontrolled are hated by the Lord, but those whose ways are without error are his delight

21 Certainly the evil-doer will not go free from punishment, but the seed of the upright man will be safe.

22 Like a ring of gold in the nose of a pig, is a beautiful woman who has no sense.

23 The desire of the upright man is only for good, but wrath is waiting for the evil-doer.

24 A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need.

25 He who gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.

26 He who keeps back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing will be on the head of him who lets them have it for a price.

27 He who, with all his heart, goes after what is good is searching for grace; but he who is looking for trouble will get it.

28 He who puts his faith in wealth will come to nothing; but the upright man will be full of growth like the green leaf.

29 The troubler of his house will have the wind for his heritage, and the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted.

30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, but violent behaviour takes away souls.

31 If the upright man is rewarded on earth, how much more the evil-doer and the sinner!

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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.