RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERS FROM DEATH

Passage: Proverbs 11:1-15

Key verse: 4

NIV

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

4 Wealth(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(H)

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(J)

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(K)

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(L)
    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.(M)

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(N)

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(O)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(Q)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(S)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(U)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(W)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(Y)

15 Whoever puts up security(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(AA)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 (A)A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    (B)but a just weight is his delight.
2 (C)When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with (D)the humble is wisdom.
3 (E)The integrity of the upright guides them,
    (F)but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 (G)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    (H)but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless (I)keeps his way straight,
    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 (J)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous (K)are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his (L)hope will perish,
    and (M)the expectation of wealth[a] perishes too.
8 (N)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (O)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but (P)by the mouth of the wicked (Q)it is overthrown.
12 Whoever (R)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (S)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is (T)no guidance, a people falls,
    (U)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (V)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The two ways of personal life with neighbors (1-8) The wise live before God. He uses honest scales. He humbles himself. He keeps integrity. He first seeks God and his righteousness. God shows his favor and delivers him from troubles and death. But the wicked deceives men with dishonest scales. He is proud. He is unfaithful with duplicity. He trusts in wealth. The Lord detests his dishonesty. Disgrace comes upon him. His wealth does not save him in the day of wrath. All his hopes and promises perish. 2. The two ways of influence to the community (9-15) The godless destroy their neighbors with their wicked mouth, but the righteous build up others through his knowledge. When the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. With gossip the wicked betrays confidence, but the wise keep others' secrets. A nation falls for lack of guidance, but victory is won through many wise advisers. The fool puts up security for a stranger but the wise refuses to do so.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing two ways before me. Make me a blessing to my neighbors and community by choosing you, who is the Way.

One Word: The Lord blesses the upright and his neighbors