Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11

The big picture

Proverbs 11 opens in verse 1 with “A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.”, and closes in verse 31 with “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the…” Repeated or prominent terms include wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Proverbs · King James Version · 31

Proverbs 11:1-8

1–8: A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his…

Proverbs 11:1–8 opens with “A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.” and reaches “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh, with particular weight carried by cometh, righteousness, wicked.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” It lands on “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 6 stated contrasts, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as cometh, righteousness, wicked, transgressors, upright, abomination tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Riches. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 4: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: cometh, righteousness, wicked, transgressors, upright, abomination

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Proverbs 11:1

    “A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abomination, balance, delight. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. Proverbs 11:2

    “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cometh, lowly, pride. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Proverbs 11:3

    “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Proverbs 11:4

    “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” Naming Riches keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. Proverbs 11:5

    “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Proverbs 11:6

    “The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Proverbs 11:7

    “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  8. Proverbs 11:8

    “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cometh, delivered, righteous. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

Proverbs 11:1-8

King James Version

1A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.

2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Proverbs 11:9-16

9–16: An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through…

Proverbs 11:9–16 opens with “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be…” and reaches “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh, with particular weight carried by city, mouth, neighbour.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just…” By verse 12, the text has turned to “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his…” It lands on “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 5 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as city, mouth, neighbour, wicked, blessing, concealeth tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include city, mouth, neighbour, wicked, blessing. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: city, mouth, neighbour, wicked, blessing, concealeth

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Proverbs 11:9

    “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Proverbs 11:10

    “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, goeth, perish. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Proverbs 11:11

    “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blessing, city, exalted. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Proverbs 11:12

    “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” The line’s distinctive content terms include despiseth, holdeth, neighbour. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Proverbs 11:13

    “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” The line’s distinctive content terms include concealeth, faithful, matter. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Proverbs 11:14

    “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” The line’s distinctive content terms include counsel, counsellors, fall. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Proverbs 11:15

    “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  8. Proverbs 11:16

    “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” The line’s distinctive content terms include gracious, honour, retain. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

Proverbs 11:9-16

King James Version

9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and 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.

12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

Proverbs 11:17-24

17–24: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel…

Proverbs 11:17–24 opens with “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” and reaches “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh, with particular weight carried by wicked, good, hand.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” By verse 20, the text has turned to “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD : but such as are upright in…” It lands on “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 6 stated contrasts, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as wicked, good, hand, pursueth, righteous, righteousness tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Though. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 20: “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD : but such as are upright in their way are his delight.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: wicked, good, hand, pursueth, righteous, righteousness

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Proverbs 11:17

    “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cruel, doeth, flesh. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. Proverbs 11:18

    “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Proverbs 11:19

    “As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.” The line’s distinctive content terms include pursueth, death, evil. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Proverbs 11:20

    “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD : but such as are upright in their way are his delight.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abomination, delight, froward. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Proverbs 11:21

    “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Proverbs 11:22

    “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” The line’s distinctive content terms include discretion, fair, gold. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Proverbs 11:23

    “The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” The line’s distinctive content terms include desire, expectation, good. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Proverbs 11:24

    “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include increaseth, meet, poverty. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

Proverbs 11:17-24

King James Version

17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD : but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

Proverbs 11:25-31

25–31: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be…

Proverbs 11:25–31 opens with “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” and reaches “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh, with particular weight carried by righteous, seeketh, wise.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” By verse 28, the text has turned to “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” It lands on “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as righteous, seeketh, wise, blessing, branch, corn tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include righteous, seeketh, wise, blessing, branch. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 28: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: righteous, seeketh, wise, blessing, branch, corn

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Proverbs 11:25

    “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Proverbs 11:26

    “He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Proverbs 11:27

    “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Proverbs 11:28

    “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Proverbs 11:29

    “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

  6. Proverbs 11:30

    “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fruit, life, righteous. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Proverbs 11:31

    “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Proverbs 11:25-31

King James Version

25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Follow the speaker, images, parallel lines, questions, and emotional movement.
  2. Notice where tension or suffering resists an easy answer.
  3. Read a saying as wisdom for faithful discernment, not as a mechanical promise detached from context.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Proverbs 11?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Proverbs 11 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Proverbs 11 develops its own movement around wicked, righteous, righteousness, upright, cometh?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?