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.
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.
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