Proverbs 11
Proverbs 11 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Proverbs 11 continues the story of Proverbs, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Primarily attributed to Solomon, with contributions from others (10th–6th century BC). Wisdom sayings.
Proverbs 11: KJV Commentary and Summary
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.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Proverbs 11:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 11:16 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 11:31 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.