Proverbs 11:1–31

 ¹ Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. ² When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. ³ The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. ⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. ⁵ The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. ⁷ When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes. ⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead. ⁹ 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 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 for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates 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 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 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 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 wins souls is wise. ³¹ If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner. 

Vs. 1 “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, 

But a just weight is His delight.” 

In ancient times both goods and currency were weighed on scales. However, some disreputable merchants had two different sets of weights, a heavier one when they purchased something from someone; and thus, they robbed the seller by dishonestly getting more than should have; and a second lighter weight by which they again robbed the buyer by giving them less than they should have got. All such deceitful practices then are an abomination to the Lord! Because honesty, transparency, and integrity are the hallmarks of God’s Person and thus are to mark our persons and practices with each other as well, therefore a just weight is His delight! 

Vs. 2 “When pride comes, then comes shame; 

But with the humble is wisdom.” 

When pride comes (which is a virtue in this world) men and women often find themselves doing and or accepting all kinds of sinful and or disgraceful things, however with any sinful or disgraceful act also comes the shame and guilt which does not easily go away. Therefore, with the humble person is wisdom for they keep themselves safe and pure by their humility. 

Vs. 3 “The integrity of the upright will guide them, 

But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.” 

An upright person’s integrity guides them onto safety by keeping them on the right paths of honesty where God Himself is and walks. However, the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them, as they walk on the treacherous and ruinous path of dishonesty, that only ends in death. Now this principal is far reaching and goes well beyond financial matters, but right to the heart of everything that matters, and that is will one keep and preserve God’s Word and its truths faithfully, or will they compromise on them, and thus ultimately pervert and ruin them, and all those who follow them. 

Vs. 4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, 

But righteousness delivers from death.” 

Over and over in the Bible we are warned both in verses and by examples not to make money or riches our confidence (Prov. 11:28). For none of these can deliver one’s soul from God’s wrath on the Day of Judgment (consider Job 36:18-19; Psalm 37:6-20; 58:9-11; 89:48; Luke 12:13-21; James 5:1-5; Rev. 3:17-22 etc.). Equally then we are also told that righteousness will not only sustain our lives here and now (Psalm 37:16; Prov. 10:2 etc.), but also in eternity those who now trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus are clothed with His Righteousness, and who live righteous lives (Rom 6:16), will be bright shinning forever like the stars in the sky (Daniel 12:3). 

Vs. 5 “The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, 

But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” 

The blameless man is guided by his own righteous life, directing him in right paths, and thus keeping him from all the perils of sin. While the wicked man is only assured that he will fall by his own wickedness, his own wicked life will ruin him (Psalm 9:16). 

Vs. 6 “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, 

But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.” 

Those who live upright lives are inherently delivered from the perils of sin, because living righteously always leads one away from those things that would harm or ruin them. In contrast those who are unfaithful to God will be caught by their own lust, whether this is for wealth, power, or pleasure (Psalm 32:10). 

Vs. 7 “When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, 

And the hope of the unjust perishes.” 

When the wicked dies all of his evil hopes, plans, and desires perish with him, and so it is his grave that brings us rest and closure from all of his wicked plans, schemes, and unjust evil deeds (Job 8:22; Psalm 9:17; Prov. 10:28). 

Vs. 8 “The righteous is delivered from trouble, 

And it comes to the wicked instead. 

God in His Sovereignty has endless ways of delivering the righteous from troubles, and bringing them on the wicked instead (Psalm 7:11-13; 32:10). 

Vs. 9 “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, 

But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” 

Believers Bible Commentary gives a most insightful application of this passage saying, “An apostate or hypocrite seeks to undermine the faith of his neighbor with doubts and denials. Knowledge of the truth enables the righteous to detect the counterfeit, and to save himself and others from subversion.”^[1] In Christendom this understanding is needed because there are many hypocrites who just as in the days of the Apostle Paul, now also try to undermine believers’ faith. Even in so called “scholarly” circles there are many things that are written that have nothing to do with upholding or declaring God’s Word and Christ’s Person. Indeed, much that is written in some “scholarly” circles only seems to seek to undermine God’s Word, and or the simplicity of the Gospel, by denying its power and completeness, or worse its authenticity. 

Vs. 10 “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; 

And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.” 

There is a universal principal at work here of fairness and justice. And so, when it goes well with the righteous, and they get what they deserve, the city rejoices! Because people have an inherent desire to see justice done. For the righteous always bring peace and safety and prosperity to the places they dwell. Similarly, when the wicked get what they deserve and they perish, there is jubilation! Because all the inequalities and injustices, all the sadness and mourning, all the misery and grief, all the troubles and hardships, pain, destruction and ruin that they caused, have now ended. 

Vs. 11 “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, 

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” 

Again, this is a universal principal that when upright people dwell in a city, they by their righteous lives and upright conduct bring blessings to it, and so it is exalted. Because their peaceful and honest lives not only positively affect them, but also all those around them. As well it is God Himself who will bless any land and people wo live righteously. However, city is overthrown by the mouth of wicked who only calls for uprisings within it, and insurrections against it. Similarly, when wicked people are the majority within, or worse rule the city, they only bring all kinds of injustices and evils to it, and so the city is overthrown by them, by their mouths, which only broadcast all their evil desires, and or boast about all kinds of disgraceful things. And thus, they only forward its moral decline, and further its downward decay. Same with its government, when a city is governed by wicked men and women who only use it and its populace to enrich themselves, and so they then make all kinds of lying and deceitful promises to its citizenry to get elected, they themselves then only open the door for all kinds of fraudulent and unscrupulous acts amongst their bureaucracy, and even the citizenry. 

Vs. 12 “He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, 

But a man of understanding holds his peace. 

When one despises one’s neighbor (i.e., disdains, or holds them in contempt) very often they will verbally abuse them or speak ill of them to others.  And so, they themselves only become agents of cruelty and hate, through mocking words and gestures, through belittling gossip, through slander, or worse bullying acts etc. None of which shows wisdom or tact, but is only to sin against God because we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. In contrast then a man of understanding rather then engaging in reckless and hurtful speech or behavior, which is always in vogue with the wicked, seeks to live peaceable with all. 

Vs. 13 “A talebearer reveals secrets, 

But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” 

A gossip will always tell others whatever you tell them, (thus they should never be trusted to keep secret those things you don’t want told too others) while the one who is of a faithful spirit will always conceal a matter, especially a private one. 

Vs. 14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; 

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” 

Without sound leadership the people invariably fall. Therefore, in the multitude of counselors there is safety because the combined knowledge, wisdom, and judgment of them makes for sound decisions for all, which is far better then the ill-conceived and reckless ones that the self assured and arrogant always make. 

Vs. 15 “He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, 

But one who hates being surety is secure.” 

Acting as a guarantor for a stranger’s debts may seem to some like a compassionate thing to do,  however if you do you will suffer all kinds of worries and headaches and troubles, because its not their necks that are on the line if they default, its yours! Therefore, one who hates acting as another’s guarantor will always be secure from bearing another’s financial debts and responsibilities (see Prov. 6:1-5). 

Vs. 16 “A gracious woman retains honor, 

But ruthless men retain riches.” 

A gracious woman retains honor because she knows how to conduct herself in all situations. However ruthless men know only how to retain their riches, and this often by unjust or evil means, or at the expense of others well being, thus they have neither honor, nor a good name, and so, no one will mourn their passing when they are gone. 

Vs. 17 “The merciful man does good for his own soul, 

But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” 

The Lord Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” ^{Matt. 5:7} Being merciful, being kind, being compassionate then is not just good for others, but it will also forward one’s own physical, mental, and of course spiritual health and wellbeing (consider James 3:17). In contrast those who are cruel only undermine their own wellbeing, and are setting themselves up for getting little to no mercy from God, or anyone else, when they need it. Thus they only trouble their own flesh by being so. 

Vs. 18 “The wicked man does deceptive work, 

But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.” 

A wicked mans work is always deceptive, and is not at all upfront or honest. Indeed, they are “experts” at taking shortcuts or devising schemes to get ahead. Indeed what they do or have done can never be trusted because there is nothing upfront, honest, nor truthful in what they do. However, the person who sows righteousness, that is they are steadily upfront and honest in their dealings with all people will have a sure reward, both in this life, and in eternity! 

Vs. 19 “As righteousness leads to life, 

So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.” 

Those who live righteous lives are on the pathway to life, which always points one too, or is testimony of one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. While those who pursue evil, only pursue it to their own death. 

Vs. 20 “Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, 

But the blameless in their ways are His delight.” 

Crooked people and their crooked lives are an abomination to the Lord, for He hates all dishonesty, deception, and evil! However, those who are blameless in their ways (not sinless) are His delight. 

Vs. 21 “Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; 

But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.” 

The wicked will always join forces with those just like them, however these will all be punished by God who will deliver the righteous and their offspring, that is their descendants from them. This proverb then will be seen played out worldwide at the end.  

Vs. 22 “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, 

So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.” 

A pig’s snout is no place for a golden ring, for its snout is perpetually in the muck and mire. Similarly, a lovely woman who lacks discretion, who does not conduct herself in accord with her God given beauty and dignity, but instead wallows around in the muck and mire of sin, is also an inappropriate sight. 

Vs. 23 “The desire of the righteous is only good, 

But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” 

The righteous desire good for that is what is in their hearts, to do good and live good lives. However the wicked persons pursuits in life only leads them to an expectation of wrath, both from God and man. 

Vs. 24-25 “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.” 

Here the principal of sowing blessings and then reaping blessings from God is being expounded, because one does one get rich (in every sense of the word) by hoarding their wealth and possessions, but by being generous with them towards all, and or using them for the benefit of others (consider 2 Cor. 9:6-10). Therefore, the generous soul will be made rich, both in this life and eternity, but those who withhold more than what is right will only find themselves impoverished and in need. 

Vs. 26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,

But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 

People who withhold commodities, especially life’s necessities, especially when they are most needed, in order to try to drive up the prices of them, will only occur a curse on themselves. While those who sell them at fair market value will have a blessing come upon them. 

Vs. 27 “He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, 

But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.” 

When a person seeks to do what is good, they find favor in the sight of God and with man. However, when someone seeks evil, (and or seeks to do evil to others), they will find trouble, both from God and from man! 

Vs. 28 “He who trusts in his riches will fall, 

But the righteous will flourish like foliage.” 

Riches are a false god; they cannot deliver one’s soul, nor can they keep one alive when sickness or tragedy or judgment comes (Psalm 49:6-19). And so, to trust in them is only the height of folly and complete arrogance against God. Those then who trust in their riches will not only fall (as these always cloud one’s judgment) BUT THEY WILL also only find themselves to be a servant of and slave to them, to their own lust and greed, and so they will also reap all of the fallout that goes with that (consider Matt. 6:24). And if they reject the Lord Jesus Christ who will pick them up or preserve them when their riches fail? In contrast then to the slowly sinking ship of those who trust in their riches, are those believers who live for, and trust in the Lord, and thus who live righteous lives, for these will grow and flourish like the foliage, and not only here and now, but also for all eternity! 

Vs. 29 “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, 

And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. 

Here we are warned about living recklessly, or foolishly, about not bringing shame and troubles to one’s own family (i.e. house). For those who do are only setting themselves up for having nothing to inherit but the wind. And so even though they may start off life with all of the wealth and privileges and advantages in this life, if all they do is squander those things, and or opportunities, or bring endless troubles to their own house, they will only end up as a servant to the wise in heart in the end. 

Vs. 30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, 

And he who wins souls is wise. 

The person who lives a righteous life, and not just morally and ethically, but also has within their hearts understanding and compassion for others is akin to a tree which bears much good fruit, much life-giving fruit, which is what we as Christians are called and equipped to do. Now linked with that is winning souls for Christ which is the true mark of being wise (consider Daniel 12:2-3). 

Vs. 31 “If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, 

How much more the ungodly and the sinner.” 

If God repays the righteous according to their works and ways in this life how much more will He repay the ungodly and the sinner. For God is always Just in His Works and His Ways and this proverb is just another affirmation of that fact.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Additional Resources Consulted 

^[1] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 817). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Proverbs 10:1-32

¹ The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. ² Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. ³ The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. ⁴ He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. ⁵ He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. ⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. ⁷ The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. ⁸ The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. ⁹ He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. ¹⁰ He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. ¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. ¹² Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. ¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. ¹⁴ Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. ¹⁵ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. ¹⁶ The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. ¹⁷ He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. ¹⁸ Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. ¹⁹ In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. ²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. ²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. ²² The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. ²³ To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. ²⁴ The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. ²⁵ When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. ²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. ²⁷ The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. ²⁸ The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. ²⁹ The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. ³⁰ The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. ³¹ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. ³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” 

Thus begins the proverbs of Solomon, wise sayings that each contain transformative insights and truths into how we can govern our persons, lives and all our relationships and affairs wisely. And so, in his first proverb Solomon addresses the parent son relationship, saying, 

“A wise son makes a glad father, 

But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” 

Here the emphasis is on right parenting, on not spoiling a child or coddling them into adulthood. But early on teaching them in age-appropriate ways that they have responsibilities in this life, and thus rearing them to become mature independent adults. For when they do, they make a father glad, proud of his son, who lives honorably, and thus bears his name well. However, when they do not, and they allow their child to get away with all kinds of mischief and foolish and irresponsible behavior then it will be the mother who will be bearing with him all the troubles he will find himself in, long after the father has turned from him, and given up on him. 

Vs. 2 “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, 

But righteousness delivers from death.”

 The warning here is that wealth gained by wicked means profits one nothing. For on the day of one’s death when one faces the Lord those riches will only be a witness against them (consider Psalm 49:6-9; Prov. 11:4, 21:6; James 5:1-5). And so, instead of acquiring wealth by wickedness or unjust means, try living righteously, which will not only sustain your life (and the quality of it) here and now, but also at the Lord’s judgment, you will have a refuge from wrath. 

Vs. 3 "The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, 

But He casts away the desire of the wicked."

Here we are told the Lord watches over the righteous soul, not allowing them to famish; that is waste away into nothing (consider Ps. 37:25, 28; 102:17 etc.). However, He casts away the desire of wicked, for their desires are only an abomination to Him (consider Ps. 9:17; 37:10; Prov. 15:8, 26, 29 etc.). 

Vs. 4 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, 

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 

When one is lazy, and or carless in how they do their work, they themselves make themselves poor. In contrast when one is diligent in their work, in their studies, in their lives, they pave the way for their own riches and success. 

Vs. 5 “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; 

He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” 

Once again diligence carries the day, and so the son who gathers in summer, who prepares for the coming winter months when no one can harvest is a wise son, now this is a Spiritual principal. Therefore, the son who sleeps in harvest, when one should be working, is only a son who causes shame, for he only brings shame to His Father’s Name (consider Matt 25:14-29). 

Vs. 6 “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, 

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” 

There are clear Spiritual principals in the Word of God and one of them is that those who live righteous lives will have blessings from God, here blessings in their life, as they are crowned with His glory and approval. In contrast violence is what covers the mouth of the wicked for their tongue only harms others, for from it proceeds only vile and violent words towards God and their fellow man which could be anything from blasphemy to slander to expressing all manner of vile and violent thoughts, acts, and intentions against someone. 

Vs. 7 “The memory of the righteous is blessed, 

But the name of the wicked will rot.” 

Even in death the righteous is blessed, remembered for all the good that they had done and blessing and joy that they had brought to peoples lives. This though goes well beyond this life and far into eternity for all who repent and believe in the Gospel, whose persons and lives then become agents of blessing and change (Psalm 112:6). While the wicked, if mourned at all, are only mourned by their wicked comrades, whose person and name is also soon forgotten along with them, as they and their names will rot away in the depths of their own graves (Ecc. 8:10). For no one in hell will ever be recalled to mind in the Kingdom of heaven, but those there will be in everlasting remembrance! 

Vs. 8 “The wise in heart will receive commands, 

But a prating fool will fall." 

The wise person will receive commands, that is instruction from God, because they can easily see that by obeying these, they are going to make life better and safer for themselves and others. However, the prating fool will not cease speaking his nonsense long enough to hear anything from God, therefore he will fall, tripping over his own tongue to his own ruin. 

Vs. 9 “He who walks with integrity walks securely, 

But he who perverts his ways will become known.” 

To walk with integrity means that one does everything uprightly and honestly, above board. However, the one who lives by deception, who perverts their ways will become known, that is found out and exposed. 

Vs. 10 “He who winks with the eye causes trouble, 

But a prating fool will fall.” 

The winking of the eye is symbolic of the person who plots and schemes evil things, or who rejoices in same (Psalm 35:19). Now linked with them is once again the pratting fool (vs. 8) who loudly speaks with pride and arrogance about all their evil deeds and desires. 

Vs. 11 “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, 

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” 

The righteous persons mouth is a well of life because they speak words that bring life and testify to it, which is Christ's life within them and everyone who believes in Him. And so they're mouth speaks blessings and praises to God and brings edification, instruction, encouragement and comfort to others. Therefore, their mouth is a well of life, as Jesus said of everyone who has been born-again by the Holy Spirit, that they will have rivers of living waters flow from them (John 7:38). In striking contrast then once again is the wicked persons mouth which is only covered with violence (vs. 6), that is hateful and hurtful speech that is only unleashed to hurt and harm others. 

Vs. 12 “Hatred stirs up strife, 

But love covers all sins.” 

Because the hateful person will not forgive others, but only insists on rehashing old offenses, or repaying past wrongs, wherever they go they will only stir up strife by rehashing and or harboring these. However, the one who loves, who abides in Christ’s love, will forgive others and let go of past wrongs, and thus by doing so will cover all sins, because we know that God in His love for us has already covered ours! And so, when it comes to dealing with the “secret” sins or known faults of others, we will not use these to repay or harm those who have wronged us, instead we will cover those sins, because every sin that has been confessed and put away should never be used to repay or hurt anyone. 

Vs. 13 “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, 

But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.” 

The person who understands God’s Word (and thus right from wrong, truth from error, and seeks to keep it) invariably will have wisdom on their lips, and so they will speak with words which will bring instruction, guidance, counsel, edification and or encouragement to others. However, the foolish persons mouth teaches no one, indeed their mouth only brings punishment to themselves and others. 

Vs. 14 “Wise people store up knowledge,

But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” 

In many ways a wise person stores up knowledge, by memorizing the Scriptures, by study of a variety of subjects, by listening to and learning from others who are more knowledgeable and adept in areas they are not, by experience they learn and retain what they learn. And so, in many ways and by many means wise people store up knowledge, for knowledge is a fountain of life! Therefore they are willing and attentive to learn from God and others, so that they may not only grow themselves, in all aspects of life, but so that they may also impart wisdom and understanding to others as well. For there are rewards in both learning and teaching. In contrast the foolish person cannot be bothered with the disciplines of learning and retaining knowledge, nor in discerning the same, whether it is true or false. Instead they just speak and pass on whatever folly, nonsense, unbelief, blasphemy, madness or lies that come from their own hearts, or they themselves hear others speak. And so, their mouth is always near destruction, because an undiscerning tongue is a destructive tongue. Therefore, repent and believe in the Gospel  so that not only God’s pardoning grace and salvation may save you from the wrath to come, but also by His Spirits wisdom and understanding He may also change you and make you into a wise and understanding person through His Word as well (2 Tim. 3:14-17). For no one need remain foolish and ignorant in this life, unless they themselves through their own unbelief and choices choose to do so. 

Vs. 15 “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; 

The destruction of the poor is their poverty.”  

That is the rich persons wealth not only fortifies them against economic hardships, but also provides them with a standard of living that is inherently far healthier and safer than what the poor person must endure. For the rich person (and their children) will always have a better nutrition, better healthcare, better and safer housing and neighborhoods to live in, better education with access to better schools, colleges, and universities etc. And thus, they have far greater opportunities and connections for personal advancement and access to far more wealth (or the means to make it) than the poor will ever have. As well they will always have the attentive ear of those in the political sphere who write and pass laws that generally try to ensure and secure their ongoing societal standing and or financial prosperity, even if this comes at the expense of the poor (as it often does). And this while their own wealth naturally increases by the interest earned on savings, bonds, GICS, dividends, RRSP/RIFFS or whatever other investments that they hold. For these by their very nature will naturally increase their wealth while requiring no effort, labor, or even real intelligence on their part to do so, if they simply avoid the pitfalls of greed and thus high risk adventures and investments. Same with the equity from their homes and properties and whatever other valuable assets that they have, these alone will naturally increase in value if they simply take care of them. Therefore, they and their children throughout their lives will not be burdened with the struggles and stresses that inherently destroy the poor person. For through these and their children through their inheritances that they will receive will almost be guaranteed lives of security and comfort whether they are wise and prudent, or hardworking or not. 

In contrast the poor person even from childhood will eat a far less healthy diet, will live in far less secure dwellings, and grow up in far more dangerous neighborhoods, (and thus will have far less stability in their home lives), as well they will have an inferior education, and will always have far more societal pressures and stresses to face as poverty is like a ball and chain on ones ankle, and so they will also have far less opportunities for personal growth and advancement than the rich person will have. And of course they will always have inferior healthcare throughout their lives. And so, without a college education (which is now becoming more and more financially out of reach for people trying to get out of poverty, unless they are especially gifted or talented in some area by which they can get a scholarship) most will have to work at far more strenuous, laborious, and dangerous jobs with far less opportunities for advancement, and yet for all their labors they will not be rewarded or compensated as greatly as those who are wealthy, who give far less of themselves to their employment. Indeed, the working poor often live from pay check to pay check. And so, there is no substantial income from interest on their savings account, or dividends earning them monthly income which they could then use to improve their lives, or even fall back on in times of economic crises. Indeed, whatever meager income they do acquire through interest on money saved is often only sucked up by life's never ending expenses and some even by “banking fees.” And so, for most public transit is the norm, and if they own a car, it is far more likely to be a used one that will breakdown far more often. Indeed, most of what they own will be of an inferior quality and more frequently need to be repaired or replaced, thus sucking up whatever disposable income that they have. Indeed, in the USA healthcare expense is often the number one factor in determining the average persons “prosperity” or financial ruin and poverty. Therefore, one can easily see how the rich persons wealth is their strong city, fortifying them against all of the economic and social forces that can quickly turn south and ruin those who are not so equipped to survive such inevitable downturns in the economy, or even one’s own health and life. While the destruction of the poor is their poverty, because their lives will be from their birth to their grave far more strenuous, more stressful, more uncertain, and thus far less healthy and secure than those who are rich now. This then is the sad commentary and evil reality of our distorted “capitalism” which is sold as “good for all” but in reality, always tilts itself in favor of the rich and affluent. For it is always preserved and kept this way by those who love to have it so. Which is why the Word of God and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ calls on us all who believe to live lives of justice and equity, to always consider the cause of the poor, and to be charitable with all, and always seek to right the inherent wrongs and injustices that we see when we can. For in the Kingdom of Heaven these inequities will end, guaranteed! Therefore, we can take strong consolation in what the Lord Jesus’ says in Luke 6:20-26 about what is so blatantly happening here and now. 

Vs. 16 “The labor of the righteous leads to life, 

The wages of the wicked to sin.” 

Those who work at doing good, who work at things which benefit not only themselves, but also others, are doing work that leads to life. While those who live wicked lives only spend their wages on sinful things. 

Vs. 17 “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, 

But he who refuses correction goes astray.” 

Keeping instruction, specifically Godly instruction from His Word is walking in the way of life. However those who refuse correction always go astray. 

Vs. 18 “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, 

And whoever spreads slander is a fool.” 

Here we are shown two types of hatred. First is the deceiver who hates another but conceals it by their smooth words, thus they hide their hatred through lying lips, therefore what they say should never be trusted (consider Psalm 12:2; Prov. 26:25; Jer. 12:6). Second is the persons who hates another and openly expresses it by the slanderous things they say about them, this one then is a fool, because God hears what they say, and God who hates slander, will repay, both! Consider Lev. 19:16; Psalm 50:20-21. 

Vs. 19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, 

But he who restrains his lips is wise.” 

When one gives free reign to their lips, sin is not far behind. In contrast restraining one’s mouth, especially during times of provocation, is the mark of the wise. 

Vs. 20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; 

The heart of the wicked is worth little.” 

Those who live righteous lives invariably speak right things, for their speech is instructive, informative, edifying, encouraging, comforting etc. for these come from their heart, and thus are a reflection of their person and lives. However, what comes out of the heart of the wicked, and thus their mouth, is worth little, for often they only pollute one’s ears with things one wish they never heard. 

Vs. 21 “The lips of the righteous feed many, 

But fools die for lack of wisdom.” 

The righteous persons mouth brings forth much Spiritual nourishment to bountifully fill the lives of all at his table. While the fool only starves and dies for lack of wisdom because they will not partake of his Godly cuisine. 

Vs. 22 “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, 

And He adds no sorrow with it.” 

When the Lord blesses someone, He makes them rich, (in more than just financial ways), and this comes to them without all of the grief that comes to those who strive for riches through unfair and unjust means, or get rich fast schemes. 

Vs. 23 “To do evil is like sport to a fool, 

But a man of understanding has wisdom.” 

When someone suggests doing something evil the fool is the first one to join in, however the man of understanding wisely considers his steps. 

Vs. 24 “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, 

And the desire of the righteous will be granted.” 

The Sovereign God who watches over everyone and everything assures us that the fear of the wicked will come upon them, their time of dread and terror will come from which they cannot escape. Conversely the desire of the righteous will be granted, granted in its fullness in the Kingdom of God. 

Vs. 25 “When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, 

But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” 

God’s judgment comes in the whirlwind of His fury, when it passes by the wicked is no more. While the righteous, that is those who live righteous lives because they have been made and declared righteous by Him, by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have an everlasting foundation. 

Vs. 26 “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, 

So is the lazy man to those who send him. 

Nothing is more frustrating, exasperating, vexing, maddening etc. then to send a lazy person to do some important duty or task, especially if it is urgent, for they will ALWAYS let down! 

Vs. 27 “The fear of the Lord prolongs days, 

But the years of the wicked will be shortened.” 

The fear of the Lord is to turn from evil and live righteously in the sight of God, for by this ones days will be prolonged (consider Ezek. 18:30-32). In contrast the years of the wicked will be shortened, because God will not watch over their persons and lives to keep them alive (Psalm 37:18-20). 

Vs. 28 “The hope of the righteous will be gladness, 

But the expectation of the wicked will perish.” 

The things that the righteous person hopes for will bring them gladness. For their hearts desire what God Himself desires. However, the expectations of wicked will perish, for their hopes are only rooted in their evil plans or desires for unjust and evil things, all which will perish with them. 

Vs. 29 “The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, 

But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” 

Following God’s ways always strengthens those who walk uprightly, who live justly and righteously before Him. However, destruction will come to the workers of iniquity, whether by their own choices, or by His (Hosea 14:9). 

Or God is a shield and strength for those who walk uprightly, who live justly and righteously before Him. However, destruction will come to the workers of iniquity, whether by their own choices, or by His (Hosea 14:9). 

Vs. 30 “The righteous will never be removed, 

But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.” 

The righteous are always watched over by God, therefore He secures them in their place with Him. However, the wicked will be removed by Him, from dwelling amongst His people (consider Isaiah 66:15-16, 22-24). 

Vs. 31 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, 

But the perverse tongue will be cut out.” 

The righteous persons mouth brings forth wisdom because they live and do what is righteous and sound in the sight of God, therefore their speech reflects this wisdom. Conversely the perverse tongue which only distorts and perverts and lies against the truth will be cut out! For on His Day they all will be silenced forever! Therefore, we ourselves should never give a listening ear to anyone who distorts or propagates lies against God or His Word’s Truth. 

Vs. 32 “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, 

But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.” 

Once again, the mouth of the righteous person is contrasted with that of the wicked. For the righteous person knows what is acceptable speech before God and man, and so they speak accordingly, their words then can be trusted. While the mouth of the wicked only speaks what is perverse, and thus when its not outright lies and distortions of the truth, it is only speech that is unbecoming, unfitting, morally and spiritually defiling and polluting, and thus completely unhealthy for anyone to ear.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Additional Resources Consulted 

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 817). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Proverbs 9:1-18

 ¹ Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; ² She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. ³ She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, ⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. ⁷ “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. ⁸ Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰ “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. ¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” ¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, ¹⁵ To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Commentary 

Vs. 1-2 ¹ Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; ² She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 

The Scriptures now tell us that wisdom has built her house, (and her foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself upon which she and all that God builds is founded), that she has hewn out her seven pillars. These then are the main attributes of wisdom coming from Him upon which her house is built; some say these are seen in Isaiah 11:2 where Christ is portrayed exemplifying these by the Holy Spirit, while the Believers Bible Commentary points us to James 3:17 where the attributes of the wisdom from above given to us to observe and follow are listed. However, you may see them, the point being made by the use of the number seven is that they are perfect, that these attributes of wisdom have their origins in the perfection (or perfect order) of the Word of God (consider Matt. 5:48). You need not look elsewhere then, for all that you need to be wise is found there. Having then built her house and hewn out her seven pillars, wisdom is now said to have prepared a grand meal for us, for she has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table, so that all who receive her invitation may richly eat and drink with her (vs. 2). In many ways one cannot but help see the Lord Jesus Christ’s own invitation to everyone to come to His own table and eat and drink and enjoy new and everlasting life by faith in His Person (Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-9; John 7:37-39; Rev. 21:6; 22:17) and thus satisfy their hungry and thirsty souls (John 6:35). 

Vs. 3-6 ³ She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, ⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. 

Having then prepared the meal and table, wisdom now sends out her maidens to invite guests to attend her feast. Yes, she herself cries out from the highest places of the city, calling out and saying, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.” ^{Vs. 4-6} 

Wisdoms call then is not to those who already think themselves “wise and prudent” (Isaiah 5:21, also consider Prov. 3:7-8; Rom 12:16; 1 Cor. 3:18-20). But to the simple, the naive, to those who have not known her, whose own persons and lives clearly lack understanding about what is good and sound and right for a person to do and pursue. Therefore, she says to them most loudly and clearly, “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.” ^{Vs. 5-6} Yes forsake and abandon the life of sin and folly and go in the way of understanding, by believing in and listening to God’s Word! And this one will do when they believe in and obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through whom God has given us His Word for us to believe and do. 

Vs. 7-9 ⁷ “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. ⁸ Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 

Wisdom then does not try to change (i.e., correct) the scoffer, because their own arrogance will not listen to her. Therefore, we are also warned not to try to correct them, for to try to correct a scoffer means that you will only suffer shame for yourself; for they will not listen or obey you either, (though they may pretend submission to the Lord (Ps. 81:15), and so if you get involved with them, you will only bring shame and reproach to yourself. Same with the wicked man, the person who has no desire to change their ways, rebuking them will only lead to your own harm. Just as Jesus warned and commanded us in Matt. 7:6, when He said: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Therefore, we are warned not to rebuke a scoffer, not to waste time, energy, and wisdom on such people, for they will only hate you when you do. Instead, we are told to rebuke a wise man, for he will love you when you do, because he will see the error of his way and turn from it. Therefore, the Scripture also says give instruction to wise man and he will grow in wisdom, same with a just person, teach them and they will increase in learning (vs. 8-9). And so, this little section of Scripture has great insights into whom we should put our time and energies into trying to disciple. For those who have already made their minds up about the Gospel, who want to live by their own godless ways, should be left to their own godless ways and fate, as per the instructions of the Lord in Matt. 7:6. But those whose hearts are not hardened we should through humility and fear of the Lord seek to reach (2 Tim. 2:25-26). 

Vs. 10-12 ¹⁰ “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. ¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” 

The fear of the Lord then is the beginning of wisdom, for when one fears His Person, His Authority, His Power, His Judgment! one will listen to His Word and depart from their evil ways. And when anyone turns from their sins and turns to obeying Him, they will reap all the fruits of their wise decision! Just as surely as the scoffer and wicked will reap all the fruits of their unbelief and sins! For knowledge of the Holy One is understanding, understanding of what is right and wrong in the sight of God for all who believe and obey Him, and God Himself will multiply your days when you come to believe and obey His Word. Therefore, fear the Lord and depart from evil so that your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you! For it is in your own best interest to be wise and understanding, to fear and know the Lord. However, if you scoff, you will bear it alone, and not only in this life will you have no Divine intervention or help, but at the Great White Throne Judgment there will be no one who will plead or intercede for you! For there everyone who rejects Christ’s Invitation to new and everlasting life will bear their eternal judgment alone (Rev. 20:11-15). 

Vs. 13-18 ¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, ¹⁵ To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell. 

Wisdom having clearly made her call and invitation to the sons of men. She now reveals her opposite. The foolish woman, the empty headed sleezy woman who also makes her voice loudly heard, who is totally hostile to all that wisdom is. For she is just a loud mouthed, pride filled woman who knows nothing of Godly wisdom, nor of the fear of the Lord. And so, she brazenly invites men who pass by her place, who are walking straight in their way to her “feast”,  a feast of misery in the end (vs 14-15), saying to them, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ^{Vs. 16-17} And so in luring the simpleton who lacks discernment and understanding, she makes living wickedly out to be pleasant, and doing evil out to be good. This then is a sad picture of this world, and all of its inducements to sin, which is only doing Satan’s agenda in luring and deceiving people into doing and pursuing and even justifying those things which will only destroy them in the end. “But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.” ^{Vs. 18} Make no mistake about it then, her place is the place were the dead dwell, the Spiritually dead, and the literal dead, who die in their sins and transgressions, who find their end with her in hell! The only thing to do then if you have “visited” with her, is to turn from her, and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, so that you too might have remission of all your sins and everlasting life! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” ^{John 3:16-17} Therefore believe in the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and Raised from the dead and be saved from this perverse generation. For there is no other Sacrifice nor Atonement for your sins and transgressions that God will accept from you than your faith In Him. Therefore, be reconciled to God today and begin a new life, everlasting life with Jesus Christ today! (2 Cor. 5:17, 21).

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.