Proverbs Challenge – Chapter 11

The Folly of Wickedness

11 Dishonest[a] scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a [b]just weight is His delight.

When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will [c]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who [d]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is surety[e] for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates [f]being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 Though they join [g]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [h]discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good [i]finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who [j]wins souls is wise.

31 If the righteous will be [k]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
  2. Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
  3. Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
  4. Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
  5. Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
  6. Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
  7. Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
  8. Proverbs 11:22 taste
  9. Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
  10. Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
  11. Proverbs 11:31 rewarded

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This Post Has 13 Comments

  1. Gbadebo Toluwalope

    The word of the lord is complete and the book of proverbs deeply proves it
    This chapter shows us right from wrong, it tells us there are consequences for various actions either good or evil.
    Everyone gets a reward for their actions, but it pays to be good and do good

  2. Odogun Oluwaseun Morrison

    Chapter 11 can be concluded that righteousness doesn’t always go recognized and rewarded on the earth. Sometimes it brings ridicule and persecution, and wickedness is exalted. But insomuch as righteousness is valued on earth and it will certainly be rewarded in heaven, how much more will evil people pay for their evil! Even on earth, people long to see murderers, oppressors, and tyrants executed, but how much more to be feared is the eternal lake of fire and the second death! The wicked may gain fame and fortune while on earth, but that will be the extent of their reward. Eternal punishment is a far more significant “reward” than all of the vain glories of the world combined.

  3. Balogun Feranmi

    This chapter helps to differentiate good from bad and also it tells that everyone has rewards for his /her actions.

  4. Adefuwa Adedokunola E

    This is a proof that whatever action, steps we take in life or whatever character we choose to exhibits the consequences are always there no matter what.

  5. ADEOSUN OLUGBEMI OLAGOKE

    This chapter open to tell us about different things like righteousness and wickedness and their various result in a man’s life either consequences at family level, community,state,nation etc and the various reasons.it further admonish.
    It reveals again that when bad people are out of the way happiness prevail.Infact the impact of wisdom is proved again when people are fighting or having hatred,animosity towards each other one with wisdom hold his or her peace,while another without understanding start talking anyhow.
    Again Advice is necessary to be seek in every matter,because it saves and guide one,and when it is absent it brings about destruction.
    At the end God hates corrupt heart because it put Him off.Winning a soul delight God’s heart and it shows you a wise person.

  6. Gbadebo omotolani Esther

    The chapter is open to make us know about righteousness and wickedness and the outcome in the life of the believers and the unbelievers. This chapter also helps us differentiate from good and bad also let everyone knows that there is surely reward or consequences for all reaction or doings whether godly or ungodly reactions.But pay to be good and do good.

  7. Imion Angela Ofure

    God wants us to be honest in everything we do.
    He wants us to be humble and not self-centered. When our heart is humble, we are teachable; we shouldn’t be proud because everything we have comes from God.
    As Christians, God is admonishing us to be devoid of any form of wrong doings and also make sure we are washed in the blood of Christ.

  8. Odedairo Oladele Omotayo

    Proverbs 11 is a collection of thirty-one verses sayings, and many have to do with either proper/improper behaviour or the righteous/wicked. While most of the sayings employ antithetical parallelism (see comment to Prov. 10), there are exceptions: vv. 7, 25, 29 (and possibly 16) do not seem to be antithetical.
    Many of the proverbs have to do with proper and improper behaviour. Verse1 speaks about honesty: “False scales are an abomination to the LORD ; An honest weight pleases Him.” While the book of Proverbs never directly quotes the Pentateuch, this verse seems to be reflecting – in both meaning and vocabulary – Deut. 25:13-16: “You shall not have in your pouch alternate weights, larger and smaller. You shall not have in your house alternate measures, a larger and a smaller. You must have completely honest weights and completely honest measures, if you are to endure long on the soil that the LORD your God is giving you. For everyone who does those things, everyone who deals dishonestly, is abhorrent to the LORD your God.” For a similar message, see Lev. 19:35: “You shall not falsify measures of length, weight, or capacity.” For proverbs similar to v. 1 see 16:11, 20:10, 20:23.
    Proverb 11 verse12-13 speak about controlling one’s speech: “He who speaks contemptuously of his fellowman is devoid of sense; A prudent man keeps his peace. A base fellow gives away secrets, But a trustworthy soul keeps a confidence.” In regards to keeping a secret, Prov. 20:19 is even more forthright: “He who gives away secrets is a base fellow; Do not take up with a garrulous man.” Also see Prov. 25:9.
    One interesting proverb is v. 22: “Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig Is a beautiful woman bereft of sense.” It is interesting because most proverbs speak of a male’s relationship to wisdom, not a female’s.
    One similar verse is found at the end of the book (31:30): “Grace is deceptive, Beauty is illusory; It is for her fear of the LORD That a woman is to be praised.” There are many Biblical verses which describe a woman’s ring (e.g. Gen 24:47, Ex. 32:2, Isa 3:21, etc.), and Abigail is described as having “sense” in 1 Sam. 25:32-33 much like in our verse: “David said to Abigail, “Praised be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed be your prudence, and blessed be you yourself for restraining me from seeking redress in blood by my own hands.”
    One verse that remains enigmatic is v. 16: “A graceful woman obtains honor; Ruthless men obtain wealth.” As it stands, this verse contrast a woman’s ways with a man’s (the only place in proverbs!), and the antithesis is weak. It is interesting to note that the Septuagint treats this one verse as two separate verses: “A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.” Thus, there is a contrast between two types of woman and two types of men, not a single man and a single woman.

  9. Feyijimi Anuoluwapo Elizabeth

    It tells us that when you are proud destruction is very close to your door step and the evil is do today one will surely reap it tomorrow…..so always allow God to be your guide in every thing you do.

  10. Merayebu Joy OmowunmiKMG

    In this verse Solomon contrasts those who use honest scales with those who use scales that have been altered to give the possessor of the scales an advantage. To understand what this means to us today we must understand what the scales were used for. In Biblical times the two main sources of income were flocks and fields. Most men were either farmers (working the fields) or herdsmen (working with animals); some did both. Scales were used – and still used today – in the marketplace. Customers paid for items based upon their weight. So in this type of business, the scale is a key factor, determining how much customers pay. It was a common practice for unscrupulous vendors to altar their scales, so that the customer would pay more for an item than they should, giving the vendor an unfair advantage and an ill-gotten profit. In Deuteronomy the Lord told the Israelites to avoid this practice, saying: “Don’t try to cheat people by having two sets of weights or measures, one to get more when you are buying, and the other to give less when you are selling” (25:13,14). The Lord’s point was that the Israelites – and we, as believers – should not participate in the unrighteous practices of the world. There should be something different about us. People should know us as honest, industrious, and hard-working men and women of integrity. Once your integrity is in question, most people of integrity will make every attempt to avoid doing business with you.

    Look at the language Solomon uses. He does not mince words; making it clear that the Lord is vehemently against dishonesty in the marketplace. Other translations of this text use the words “hates” and “detest.” The Message Bible translation of this verse makes is plain, saying, “GOD hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.” Later on in Proverbs Solomon says, “GOD cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business” (16:11 MSG). Think about that for a moment. Many don’t make the connection between the Lord and their business. They see God as someone who they interact with at church, on Sundays, but not daily or throughout the week. That is a major problem, because either He is LORD OF ALL or He is not LORD AT ALL! Your family is His business, your health is His business, your overall wellbeing (mind, body and soul) is His business, and your business is His business. We don’t serve a God that expects to only interact with us at church. As a matter of fact, what we do at church should be just a small part of our relationship with Him.

  11. Prophetess Deborah Oreofe David

    Day 11: Proverb 11:1-6 God is warning His children against unrighteous dealings, God loves humility, humility is a special spirit that assisted Christian in his/ her Christian journey, it is through righteousness shall a man be saved, it is through all these spirits that you will be directed on a right path,let’s endeavor to follow a right path that will guide us in our Christian journey of life.
    Proverb 11:7-11 The wicked soul has no hope for the future, because they already lost their rewards, it is a man’s righteousness that deliver him ,whatsoever a man sow shall he reaps,definitely, a righteous man shall blossom, no matter how rough the journey is,he will be favored by God and man.
    Proverb 11:12-13 (We learnt different lesson from verses 12-15) (1) Christian must be able to keep secret (2) We must be able to follow a path of integrity etc, a person of integrity must learn how to bridle his tongue _ moving quietly on like King David did in the old testament when he was cursed by Shimei,if you know you can’t say anything nice,don’t say anything at all. A Christian must not be a gossiper,gossip is not allowed among the Christians.
    Proverb 11:14-15 This proverb assures us that counselors are good and often are intelligent people who can help others.
    It is sometimes wise to seek the counsel of others .A good counselor will listen to problems that people are facing,he will discuss the alternatives,he will help people form a conclusion and will give direction about the cause of life and then we should our brothers keeper.
    Proverb 11:16-20. Characters and honor are important to the gracious woman( a woman in Christ Jesus) but all the ruthless care about its riches,wealth is their god,again a woman who by her meekness, modesty and prudence renders herself acceptable and available to God and to men,the one who shows mercy to others will be shown mercy, it is measure that been used for others will also be used unto us. When someone works with deception and dishonesty, it is evidence of wickedness, an honor person do things in such a way that will bring honesty and integrity to him,the path of righteousness is a path to life, but those who pursue evil against others pursue it to their own death,the way of evil is also a path and it leads to death. His is right to regard the perverse heart of man as an abomination before Him ,and there are men and women who are sincere in their hearts and constant in their ways.
    Proverb 11:21-25 God wrath will be upon the wicked ones and their descendants, and God’s blessings will be upon the righteous ones and upon their descendants. A lovely woman who does not have wisdom or self control doesn’t deserve God’s glory,a woman with beauty but lack God’s wisdom will surely destroy her own beauty,likewise the good character of a righteous man or woman is reflected in their desire but the expectation of the wicked ones is the wrath of God will be upon God. We will never lose when we give generously unto God and His people and His work,but when we are selfish with what God has given us,we should expect that God will grant less to us and this will lead eventually to poverty,God has promised to bless the generous soul and will do so with riches in this world ,God knows how to give unto us we can’t water others without been watered ourselves.
    Proverb 11:26- A warning by God to all sellers of grain who sells in other to manipulate others,such people will not only be opposed by God, but also cursed by the people,the ones who does good by providing grains and food s for sale will be blessed by God and people. God honors the one who earnestly seek good, and that one may be blessed with favour of God and man, trouble will come to him who seeks evil,the righteous man or woman does not trust in Riches but in God and this leads to a truly flourishing life,a righteous life is a blessed life, the righteous will receive their reward and often on this earth, because
    a righteous life bears fruit and it gives life to other,May God help us in Jesus name Amen

  12. Imion immaculate osereme

    A generous person enjoys prosperity. Whenever we satisfy others,we shall be satisfied ourselves. Proverbs 11 is about we have to do with either proper/improper behavior or the righteous/wicked.
    Proverb 11 verse12-13 talks us minding the kind of words that comes out of our mouth:He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
    But a man of understanding holds his peace.
    We should always try as children of God to put wisdom in whatever things or decisions we are to make. We shouldn’t say whatever comes to our mind when we are angry cos we always end up regretting it instead,we should treat everything with wisdom.

  13. Akinbobola Esther

    We must be careful on what pull us down as a born again christains eg Pride and we must embrace Humility
    Everyone in Christ must not be in darkness,
    Richness will never delivered us from death and mind us death is must so don’t let us pursue evil in searching for money verse 19
    We must give room for souls winning verse 31.

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