The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 11 - in World English Version with Audio and Chapter Commentary.

Proverbs Chapter 11

1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, 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 neighbour, 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 neighbour 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 counsellors 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 honour, 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 the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring 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 favour, 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!

Footnotes

Verse 21 (offspring): or, seed

Version: World English Bible

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Proverbs Chapter 11 Guide

Verse Proverbs 11:7. The antithesis of this proverb is between the condition described and that of one not described, that is to say, the expectation or hope of the wicked lies wholly on this side of the grave, and perishes at death.

Verse Proverbs 11:12. The word "despiseth" here must be understood as marking some outward manifestation of contempt. The contrast will then be plain.

Verse Proverbs 11:16. The method of this proverb is of comparison rather than of contrast, the idea being that a "gracious woman" will defend honour with the same strength and persistency as "violent men," or "strong men," as the Authorized Version had it, will retain riches. The word "violent" here suggests evil rather than good.

Verse Proverbs 11:21. The phrase "hand join in hand" indicates either co-operation in wickedness, or continuity of the same, as from father to son. The latter would seem to be more probable, as affirming the direct contrast to the statement that the "seed of the righteous" shall be delivered.

Verse Proverbs 11:22. A ring of gold in a swine's snout is out of place, and a useless waste of precious metal. So also is beauty in a woman who lacks discretion. If the thought of the contrast be carried out a little, it will be recognized that the swine will speedily destroy the luster of the gold, and so a woman lacking discretion will surely destroy her own beauty.

Verse Proverbs 11:30. Notice the change from "He that winneth souls is wise" to "He that is wise winneth souls." Essentially the meaning is the same, but this setting makes more graphic the truth that winning souls is not easy. It needs wisdom.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Proverbs Chapter 11 Commentary

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

Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.

Verses 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 God's word.

Verses 10, 11

Nations prosper when wicked men are cast 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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.

The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 11: with Audio and Commentary.