New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 11
1
The Lord hates it when people use scales to cheat others. But he is delighted when people use honest weights.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hosea 12:7
References Lord
Proverbs 20:23
Proverbs 20:10
Righteousness
Proverbs 16:11
3
Those who do what is right are guided by their honest lives. But those who aren't faithful are destroyed by their trickery.
Reference
4
Wealth isn't worth anything when God judges you. But doing what is right saves you 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 ways of honest people are made straight because they do what is right. But those who do what is wrong are brought down by their own sins.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 5:22
6
Godly people are saved by doing what is right. But those who aren't faithful are trapped by evil longings.
Reference
7
When an evil man dies, his hope dies with him. Everything he expected to gain from his power will be lost.
Reference
8
Those who do right are saved from trouble. But trouble comes on those who do wrong.
Reference
Righteousness
Proverbs 21:18
9
With their words ungodly people destroy their neighbors. But those who do what is right escape because of their knowledge.
Reference
10
When those who do right succeed, their city is glad. When those who do wrong die, people shout for joy.
Reference
Righteousness
Proverbs 28:12
12
A person who has no sense makes fun of his neighbor. But a man who has understanding controls his tongue.
Reference
13
Those who talk about others tell secrets. But those who can be trusted keep things to themselves.
Reference
Faith
Proverbs 14:5
Parallel theme
Proverbs 20:19
Leviticus 19:16
Proverbs 25:9
1 Timothy 5:13
Joshua 2:14
14
Without the guidance of good leaders a nation falls. But many good advisers can save it.
Reference
15
Anyone who puts up money for what someone else owes will certainly suffer. But a person who doesn't agree to pay up for someone else is safe.
Reference
16
A woman who has a kind heart gains respect. But men who are not kind gain only wealth.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 10:42
18
Those who do what is wrong really earn nothing. But those who plant what is right will certainly be rewarded.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 5:22
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 10:8
Proverbs 22:8
Proverbs 1:18
Ephesians 4:22
Righteousness
James 3:18
19
Right living leads to life. But anyone who runs after evil will die.
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
The Lord hates those whose hearts are twisted. But he is pleased with those who live without blame.
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
You can be sure that sinners will be punished. And you can also be sure that godly people will go free.
Reference
Evil
Exodus 23:2
Parallel theme
Acts 2:39
Jeremiah 32:39
Proverbs 16:5
Psalm 37:26
Righteousness
Proverbs 13:22
23
What godly people long for ends only in what is good. But what sinners hope for ends only in God's anger.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 10:17
Jeremiah 17:16
Righteousness
Matthew 5:6
Isaiah 26:9
Proverbs 10:28
24
Some give freely but get even richer. Others don't give what they should but get even poorer.
Reference
26
People call down curses on those who store up grain for themselves. But blessing makes those who are willing to sell feel like kings.
Reference
27
Anyone who looks for what is good finds favor. But bad things happen to a person who plans to do evil.
Reference
28
Those who trust in their riches will fall. But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf.
Reference
29
Those who bring trouble on their families will receive nothing but wind. And foolish people will serve wise people.
Reference
30
The fruit that godly people bear is like a tree of life. And those who lead others to do what is right are 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
Chapter Summary
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.