Proverbs 11
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 11, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
A false balance {is} abomination to the LORD: but a just weight {is} his delight. {A false...: Heb. Balances of deceit} {just...: Heb. perfect stone}
Proverbs 11:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
{When} pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly {is} wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Proverbs 11:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Proverbs 11:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. {direct: Heb. rectify}
Proverbs 11:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in {their own} naughtiness.
Proverbs 11:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
When a wicked man dieth, {his} expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust {men} perisheth.
Proverbs 11:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
Proverbs 11:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
An hypocrite with {his} mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Proverbs 11:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, {there is} shouting.
Proverbs 11:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 11:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. {void...: Heb. destitute of heart}
Proverbs 11:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. {A talebearer: Heb. He that walketh, being a talebearer}
Proverbs 11:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
Where no counsel {is}, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors {there is} safety.
Proverbs 11:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart {for it}: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. {smart: Heb. be sore broken} {suretiship: Heb. those that strike hands}
Proverbs 11:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong {men} retain riches.
Proverbs 11:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but {he that is} cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Proverbs 11:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness {shall be} a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
As righteousness {tendeth} to life: so he that pursueth evil {pursueth it} to his own death.
Proverbs 11:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
They that are of a froward heart {are} abomination to the LORD: but {such as are} upright in {their} way {are} his delight.
Proverbs 11:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
{Though} hand {join} in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Proverbs 11:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
{As} a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, {so is} a fair woman which is without discretion. {is without: Heb. departeth from}
Proverbs 11:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
The desire of the righteous {is} only good: {but} the expectation of the wicked {is} wrath.
Proverbs 11:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and {there is} that withholdeth more than is meet, but {it tendeth} to poverty.
Proverbs 11:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. {liberal...: Heb. soul of blessing}
Proverbs 11:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing {shall be} upon the head of him that selleth {it}.
Proverbs 11:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Proverbs 11:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Proverbs 11:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool {shall be} servant to the wise of heart.
Proverbs 11:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
The fruit of the righteous {is} a tree of life; and he that winneth souls {is} wise. {winneth: Heb. taketh}
Proverbs 11:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs 11:31 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.