American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Proverbs 11
1
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hosea 12:7
References Lord
Proverbs 20:23
Proverbs 20:10
Righteousness
Proverbs 16:11
3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Reference
4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
Reference
Judgment
Zephaniah 1:18
Ezekiel 7:19
Parallel theme
1 Timothy 4:8
Matthew 16:26
Luke 12:20
Righteousness
Proverbs 10:2
Genesis 7:1
Proverbs 12:28
Romans 5:17
5
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 5:22
6
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Reference
7
When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes.
Reference
8
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead.
Reference
Righteousness
Proverbs 21:18
9
An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Reference
10
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Reference
Righteousness
Proverbs 28:12
11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Reference
12
He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding holds his peace.
Reference
13
A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
Reference
Faith
Proverbs 14:5
Parallel theme
Proverbs 20:19
Leviticus 19:16
Proverbs 25:9
1 Timothy 5:13
Joshua 2:14
14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Reference
15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hates indebtedness is sure.
Reference
16
A gracious woman retains honor: and strong men retain riches.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 10:42
17
The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.
Reference
18
The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 5:22
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 10:8
Proverbs 22:8
Proverbs 1:18
Ephesians 4:22
Righteousness
James 3:18
19
As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 19:23
Parallel theme
Proverbs 8:36
Romans 6:23
Righteousness
Proverbs 10:16
Proverbs 12:28
Acts 10:35
Proverbs 11:4
1 John 3:10
1 John 3:7
20
They that are of a fraudulent heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Reference
Light
Proverbs 12:22
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 29:17
Proverbs 21:29
Proverbs 6:14
Psalm 51:6
Psalm 140:13
Proverbs 9:7
Proverbs 13:6
References Lord
Psalm 119:1
Proverbs 8:13
21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Reference
Evil
Exodus 23:2
Parallel theme
Acts 2:39
Jeremiah 32:39
Proverbs 16:5
Psalm 37:26
Righteousness
Proverbs 13:22
23
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 10:17
Jeremiah 17:16
Righteousness
Matthew 5:6
Isaiah 26:9
Proverbs 10:28
24
There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.
Reference
26
He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be on the head of him that sells it.
Reference
27
He that diligently seeks good procures favor: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come to him.
Reference
29
He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Reference
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 5:20
Proverbs 15:4
Matthew 4:19
John 4:36
1 Thessalonians 2:19
Proverbs 3:18
Righteousness
Daniel 12:3
Summary of Proverbs 11
Proverbs 11 continues the practical teaching of Proverbs by showing how character affects almost every area of life. The chapter moves through business, money, leadership, friendship, family, generosity, and personal behavior, but all of these subjects are connected by one idea: the choices people make eventually produce consequences.
The chapter begins with something very ordinary—a set of scales used in business.
God cares about whether those scales are honest.
This immediately establishes an important principle. Righteousness is not limited to religious activities or public behavior. It also appears in everyday decisions that other people may never notice. A dishonest merchant might make money by cheating customers, but Proverbs teaches that such success is not genuine success.
The chapter then contrasts pride and humility.
A proud person believes he already knows enough and therefore becomes difficult to teach. A humble person recognizes his limitations and remains willing to learn. Humility is therefore not weakness. It is one of the foundations of wisdom.
The discussion then turns toward wealth.
Proverbs repeatedly warns against placing ultimate confidence in money. Wealth can provide practical protection, but it cannot rescue a person from every danger, and it certainly cannot replace righteousness. Money can disappear, circumstances can change, and death eventually ends every person's ability to depend upon possessions.
The chapter therefore encourages the reader to build security on character rather than possessions.
The central message of Proverbs 11 is that true success is not measured simply by how much a person owns or how powerful he becomes. It is measured by the quality of his character, the way he treats others, and the lasting influence of his life.
In simple terms:
Be honest even when dishonesty could make you money. Stay humble enough to learn. Do not place your trust in wealth. Protect people's confidence, seek wise advice, and be generous with what you have. A life built on righteousness becomes a source of stability and blessing not only for yourself but also for the people around you.
The chapter begins with something very ordinary—a set of scales used in business.
God cares about whether those scales are honest.
This immediately establishes an important principle. Righteousness is not limited to religious activities or public behavior. It also appears in everyday decisions that other people may never notice. A dishonest merchant might make money by cheating customers, but Proverbs teaches that such success is not genuine success.
The chapter then contrasts pride and humility.
A proud person believes he already knows enough and therefore becomes difficult to teach. A humble person recognizes his limitations and remains willing to learn. Humility is therefore not weakness. It is one of the foundations of wisdom.
The discussion then turns toward wealth.
Proverbs repeatedly warns against placing ultimate confidence in money. Wealth can provide practical protection, but it cannot rescue a person from every danger, and it certainly cannot replace righteousness. Money can disappear, circumstances can change, and death eventually ends every person's ability to depend upon possessions.
The chapter therefore encourages the reader to build security on character rather than possessions.
The central message of Proverbs 11 is that true success is not measured simply by how much a person owns or how powerful he becomes. It is measured by the quality of his character, the way he treats others, and the lasting influence of his life.
In simple terms:
Be honest even when dishonesty could make you money. Stay humble enough to learn. Do not place your trust in wealth. Protect people's confidence, seek wise advice, and be generous with what you have. A life built on righteousness becomes a source of stability and blessing not only for yourself but also for the people around you.