1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
1 A false H4820 balance H3976 is abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 but a just H8003 weight H68 is his delight. H7522
2 When pride H2087 cometh, H935 then cometh H935 shame: H7036 but with the lowly H6800 is wisdom. H2451
3 The integrity H8538 of the upright H3477 shall guide H5148 them: but the perverseness H5558 of transgressors H898 shall destroy H7703 H7703 them.
4 Riches H1952 profit H3276 not in the day H3117 of wrath: H5678 but righteousness H6666 delivereth H5337 from death. H4194
5 The righteousness H6666 of the perfect H8549 shall direct H3474 his way: H1870 but the wicked H7563 shall fall H5307 by his own wickedness. H7564
6 The righteousness H6666 of the upright H3477 shall deliver H5337 them: but transgressors H898 shall be taken H3920 in their own naughtiness. H1942
7 When a wicked H7563 man H120 dieth, H4194 his expectation H8615 shall perish: H6 and the hope H8431 of unjust H205 men perisheth. H6
8 The righteous H6662 is delivered out H2502 of trouble, H6869 and the wicked H7563 cometh H935 in his stead.
9 An hypocrite H2611 with his mouth H6310 destroyeth H7843 his neighbour: H7453 but through knowledge H1847 shall the just H6662 be delivered. H2502
10 When it goeth well H2898 with the righteous, H6662 the city H7151 rejoiceth: H5970 and when the wicked H7563 perish, H6 there is shouting. H7440
11 By the blessing H1293 of the upright H3477 the city H7176 is exalted: H7311 but it is overthrown H2040 by the mouth H6310 of the wicked. H7563
12 He that is void H2638 of wisdom H3820 despiseth H936 his neighbour: H7453 but a man H376 of understanding H8394 holdeth his peace. H2790
13 A talebearer H1980 H7400 revealeth H1540 secrets: H5475 but he that is of a faithful H539 spirit H7307 concealeth H3680 the matter. H1697
14 Where no counsel H8458 is, the people H5971 fall: H5307 but in the multitude H7230 of counsellors H3289 there is safety. H8668
15 He that is surety H6148 for a stranger H2114 shall smart H7321 H7451 for it: and he that hateth H8130 suretiship H8628 is sure. H982
16 A gracious H2580 woman H802 retaineth H8551 honour: H3519 and strong H6184 men retain H8551 riches. H6239
17 The merciful H2617 man H376 doeth good H1580 to his own soul: H5315 but he that is cruel H394 troubleth H5916 his own flesh. H7607
18 The wicked H7563 worketh H6213 a deceitful H8267 work: H6468 but to him that soweth H2232 righteousness H6666 shall be a sure H571 reward. H7938
19 As righteousness H6666 tendeth to life: H2416 so he that pursueth H7291 evil H7451 pursueth it to his own death. H4194
20 They that are of a froward H6141 heart H3820 are abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 but such as are upright H8549 in their way H1870 are his delight. H7522
21 Though hand H3027 join in hand, H3027 the wicked H7451 shall not be unpunished: H5352 but the seed H2233 of the righteous H6662 shall be delivered. H4422
22 As a jewel H5141 of gold H2091 in a swine's H2386 snout, H639 so is a fair H3303 woman H802 which is without H5493 discretion. H2940
23 The desire H8378 of the righteous H6662 is only good: H2896 but the expectation H8615 of the wicked H7563 is wrath. H5678
24 There is H3426 that scattereth, H6340 and yet increaseth; H3254 and there is that withholdeth H2820 more than is meet, H3476 but it tendeth to poverty. H4270
25 The liberal H1293 soul H5315 shall be made fat: H1878 and he that watereth H7301 shall be watered H3384 also himself.
26 He that withholdeth H4513 corn, H1250 the people H3816 shall curse H5344 him: but blessing H1293 shall be upon the head H7218 of him that selleth H7666 it.
27 He that diligently seeketh H7836 good H2896 procureth H1245 favour: H7522 but he that seeketh H1875 mischief, H7451 it shall come H935 unto him.
28 He that trusteth H982 in his riches H6239 shall fall: H5307 but the righteous H6662 shall flourish H6524 as a branch. H5929
29 He that troubleth H5916 his own house H1004 shall inherit H5157 the wind: H7307 and the fool H191 shall be servant H5650 to the wise H2450 of heart. H3820
30 The fruit H6529 of the righteous H6662 is a tree H6086 of life; H2416 and he that winneth H3947 souls H5315 is wise. H2450
31 Behold, the righteous H6662 shall be recompensed H7999 in the earth: H776 much more the wicked H7563 and the sinner. H2398
1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.
7 When a wicked man dieth, `his' expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
14 Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is secure.
16 A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness `hath' a sure reward.
19 He that is stedfast in righteousness `shall attain' unto life; And he that pursueth evil `doeth it' to his own death.
20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in `their' way are his delight.
21 `Though' hand `join' in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 `As' a ring of gold in a swine's snout, `So is' a fair woman that is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; `But' the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but `it tendeth' only to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: How much more the wicked and the sinner!
1 Balances of deceit `are' an abomination to Jehovah, And a perfect weight `is' His delight.
2 Pride hath come, and shame cometh, And with the lowly `is' wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright leadeth them, And the perverseness of the treacherous destroyeth them.
4 Wealth profiteth not in a day of wrath, And righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh right his way, And by his wickedness doth the wicked fall.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them, And in mischief the treacherous are captured.
7 In the death of a wicked man, hope perisheth, And the expectation of the iniquitous hath been lost.
8 The righteous from distress is drawn out, And the wicked goeth in instead of him.
9 With the mouth a hypocrite corrupteth his friend, And by knowledge the righteous are drawn out.
10 In the good of the righteous a city exulteth, And in the destruction of the wicked `is' singing.
11 By the blessing of the upright is a city exalted, And by the mouth of the wicked thrown down.
12 Whoso is despising his neighbour lacketh heart, And a man of understanding keepeth silence.
13 A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter.
14 Without counsels do a people fall, And deliverance `is' in a multitude of counsellors.
15 Evil `one' suffereth when he hath been surety `for' a stranger, And whoso is hating suretyship is confident.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour, And terrible `men' retain riches.
17 A kind man is rewarding his own soul, And the fierce is troubling his own flesh.
18 The wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness -- a true reward.
19 Rightly `is' righteousness for life, And whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.
20 An abomination to Jehovah `are' the perverse of heart, And the perfect of the way `are' His delight.
21 Hand to hand, the wicked is not acquitted, And the seed of the righteous hath escaped.
22 A ring of gold in the nose of a sow -- A fair woman and stubborn of behaviour.
23 The desire of the righteous `is' only good, The hope of the wicked `is' transgression.
24 There is who is scattering, and yet is increased, And who is keeping back from uprightness, only to want.
25 A liberal soul is made fat, And whoso is watering, he also is watered.
26 Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing `is' for the head of him who is selling.
27 Whoso is earnestly seeking good Seeketh a pleasing thing, And whoso is seeking evil -- it meeteth him.
28 Whoso is confident in his wealth he falleth, And as a leaf, the righteous flourish.
29 Whoso is troubling his own house inheriteth wind, And a servant `is' the fool to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous `is' a tree of life, And whoso is taking souls `is' wise.
31 Lo, the righteous in the earth is recompensed, Surely also the wicked and the sinner!
1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight.
2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them.
4 Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving.
7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil [men] perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life, so he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in [their] way are his delight.
21 Hand for hand! an evil [man] shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 A fair woman who is without discretion, is [as] a gold ring in a swine's snout.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but [it tendeth] only to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner.
1 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, But accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame, But with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Riches don't profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, But the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, And expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked takes his place.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, But he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16 A gracious woman obtains honor, But violent men obtain riches.
17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, But one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, But those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21 Most assuredly, the evil man will not be unpunished, But the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, Is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26 People curse someone who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!
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!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 11
Commentary on Proverbs 11 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 11
Pr 11:1-31.
1. (Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights.
just—complete in measure.
2. Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare Pr 16:18; 18:12).
3. guide—to lead, as a shepherd (Pr 6:7; Ps 78:52).
perverseness—ill-nature.
destroy—with violence.
4. (Compare Pr 10:2).
wrath—that is, of God.
5. direct—or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain (Pr 13:17).
6. deliver them—that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings (Pr 5:22; Ps 9:16).
7. expectation … perish—for death cuts short all his plans (Lu 16:25).
hope of unjust—better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.
8. Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare Pr 11:6).
9. (Compare Ps 35:16; Da 11:32). The just is saved by superior discernment.
10, 11. The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
11. By the blessing—implying active benevolence.
12. despiseth—or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise.
holdeth his peace—as if neither hearing nor telling.
13. tale-bearer—(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.
14. counsel—the art of governing (Pr 1:5).
counsellors—literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.
15. (Compare Pr 6:1).
suretiship—(Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated.
16. retaineth—or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.
17. merciful—kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pr 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others.
flesh—that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).
18. a deceitful work—or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away (Pr 10:2; 23:5).
sure reward—or, "gain," as from trading (Ho 10:12; Ga 6:8, 9).
19. Inference from Pr 11:18 (compare Pr 11:5, 6; 10:16).
20. (Compare Pr 11:5).
froward—as in Pr 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright.
in their way—or, "conduct."
21. The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Ps 37:25, 26).
22. Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Ge 24:47; Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.
23. (Compare Pr 10:28).
wrath—is that of God.
24-31. The scope of the whole is a comment on Pr 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.
25. liberal soul—(Compare Margin).
made fat—prospers (Pr 28:25; De 32:15; Lu 6:38).
watereth … watered—a common figure for blessing.
26. Another example of the truth of Pr 11:23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn.
selleth it—that is, at a fair price.
27. good [and] mischief—that is, of others.
procureth … seeketh—implying success.
28. (Compare Pr 10:15; Ps 49:6; 1Ti 6:17).
righteous … branch—(Ps 1:3; Jer 17:8).
29. troubleth—as Pr 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain (compare Pr 11:17).
inherit … wind—Even successful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others.
30. a tree of life—Blessings to others proceed from the works of the righteous (Pr 3:18).
winneth souls—(Compare Margin) to do them good as opposed to Pr 6:25; Eze 13:18 (compare Lu 5:10).
31. Behold—Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare Pr 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments.