The Bible — World English Bible
Proverbs 11
In brief
Proverbs 11 is a series of maxims contrasting the righteous and the wicked. The chapter begins with honesty in business, then praises humility and integrity, which guide and protect. It shows how words build up or tear down a city, stresses prudence and counsel, then generosity: the one who gives does not always grow poorer, and the one who waters will be watered. It ends with the image of the righteous whose fruit is a tree of life.
The chapter in 4 parts
1A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.
2When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
15He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
17The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
31Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Key verses
A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.
The first proverb touches on economic honesty: God cares about the scales of the marketplace. Faith concerns professional life too.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
A people falls when guidance is lacking, and safety is found in many counselors. The text invites us not to decide alone.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
The one who gives with a generous heart will himself be satisfied. This is a principle of wisdom, not a mechanical guarantee of gain.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, a source that feeds others. The rest of the sentence is translated in various ways: in the Louis Segond version, the wise person wins souls.
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Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 11
What does Proverbs 11:25 mean?
The verse says that the generous soul will be made rich and that the one who waters will himself be watered. It presents generosity as a path of wisdom that returns to the one who practices it. Proverbs express general principles, not automatic promises: generosity is not an investment with a guaranteed return.
What is the main theme of Proverbs 11?
The chapter constantly contrasts the righteous and the wicked. It shows that integrity, humility and generosity protect and give life, while pride, dishonest scales, slander and greed lead to ruin. It also stresses the effect of words on the life of a community.
What does Proverbs 11:14 say about counselors?
The verse states that a people falls when guidance is lacking and that safety is in many counselors. In other words, wisdom is rarely found in isolation: asking for advice protects from mistakes, whether in a church, a family or a business.
Articles quoting Proverbs 11
- 20 Bible Verses for Veterans and Soldiers: Courage, Peace and Integrity
- 20 Bible Verses for Small Business Owners: Integrity, Diligence and Trust in God
- Ezekiel 3: What Is Hard to Digest Becomes Sweet as Honey
- Proverbs 11: Gratitude, a Practice You Can Learn
- 1 Kings 17: The Offering That Gives God First Place
- Mark 10: The Joy of Giving and Treasure in Heaven
World English Bible translation — public domain.