W2 X1 11:1-31. With reference to one's neighbors.
X2 12:1-28. With reference to Domestic and Public vocations.
X3 13:1-25. With reference to Temporal and Eternal Good.
X4 14:1-35. With reference to and Wise and Foolish; Rich and Poor; Masters and Servants.
X5 15:1-23. With reference to other relations in the religious sphere.
Proverbs 11)
1 False balances is abomination to the LORD:
But a just stone (put for the weight it represents) is His delight. (This proverb is repeated 3 times [[16:11; 20:10,33]. Cp. Lev. 19:36. Deut. 25:13-15, and Mic. 6:11. There was a royal standard [2 Sam. 14:26].)
2 When pride comes, then comes shame: (Illustrations: Miriam [Num. 12:10]; Uzziah [2 Chron. 26:16-21]; Nebuchadnezzar [Dan. 4:30]; Moab [Zeph. 2:8,10]; Nineveh [Zeph. 2:15])
But with the lowly is wisdom. (Illustrations: Joseph [Gen. 41:16,38,39]; Daniel [Dan. 2:20,21. Cp. Prov. 2:6].)
3 The integrity of the upright ones shall guide them: (Illustrations: Joseph [Gen. 4,22,23; 50:25. Heb. 11:22].)
But the slipperiness of traitors (Heb. bagad = faithless to covenant) shall destroy them. (Illustrations: Israel [Deut. 1:43,44]; Balaam [Num. 22:32; 31:8]; Hophni and Phinehas [1 Sam. 2:25; 4:11]; Saul [1 Sam. 15:23]; Absalom [2 Sam. 15:3-6; 18]; Ahithophel [2 Sam. 17:1-3,23]; Ahab [1 Kings 21:25,26; 22:34,37]; tribe of Judah [Jer. 34:8-22]; Jerusalem [Ezek. 9:9,10].)
4 Riches profit not in the day of [God's] wrath:
But righteousness rescues from death.
5 The righteousness of the without blemish (or blame) shall direct his way:
But a lawless one shall fall by his own lawlessness.
6 The righteousness of upright ones shall rescue them:
But traitor shall be taken in their own worthlessness.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: (Illustrations: Balaam's [Num. 23:10; 31:8]; Absalom's [2 Sam. 18. Cp. Prov. 20:20]. Cp. also Job 21:7-13 and Ps. 73:19. Luke 12:16-20.)
And the hope of unjust men perishes.
8 The righteous is drawn out (liberated with gentle effort) out of trouble, (Illustrations: Mordecai and Haman [Est. 7:9,10]; Daniel and his accusers [Dan. 6:23,24]; Israel and the Egyptians [Ex. 14, and Isa. 43:3,4].)
And a lawless one comes in his stead.
9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor:
But through knowledge shall righteous ones be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: (Illustrations: Hezekiah [2 Cron. 29:3-36; 30:26]; Neheniah [Neh. 2; 6:15; 8:27]; Mordechai [Est. 8:15,16].)
And when the wicked ones perish, there is shouting. (Illustrations: Paraoh [Ex. 15]; Sisera [Judg. 5]; Athaliah [2 Kings 11:20])
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown (or ruined) by the mouth of the lawless ones.
12 He that is void of wisdom (sense) reproaches his neighbor:
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 He that goes about tale-bearing (or a pedlar in scandal) reveals a secret: (Cp. Lev. 19:16. Jas. 1:26. Illustrations: Doeg [1 Sam. 21:7; 22:9,10. Ps. 52:2. Cp. Prov. 24:28]; the nobles of Judah [Neh. 6:17-19].)
But he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
14 Where no counsel (or helmsman) is, the people fall:
But in the multitude of counselors (providing they are really "counselors") there is salvation.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall be sore broken: (Christ became surety for His People, and they were "strangers" [Eph. 2:12]; and He smarted for it, blessed be His name!)
And he that hates suretiship is secure.
16 A gracious woman retains honor:
And strong men retain riches.
17 The man of grace (or loving-kindness) does good to his own self: (Illustrations: David [1 Sam. 30:11-20]; Johnathan [2 Sam. 9:7; 21:7]; Job [Job 42:10. Cp. Prov. 13:2]; the Centurian [Luke 7:1-10]; Cornelius [Acts 10:4. Cp. Prov. 12:14];the Maltese [Acts 28:1-10])
But he that is cruel troubles his own flesh. (Illustrations: Cain [Hen. 4:10-12]; Joseph's brethren [Gen. 37:42:21]; Adoni-bezek [Judg. 1:6,7]; Agag [1 Sam. 15:33]; Haman [Est. 9:25]; Jonah [Jonah 4:1-3]; the miser [Ecc. 4:8].)
18 A lawless one works a lie: (Pharaoh [Ex. 1:20. Acts 7:19]; Caiaphas [John 11:49,50]. Cp. Acts 8:1,4.)
But to him that sow righteousness shall be a sure reward. (Illustrations: Noah [Gen. 6:22; 7. Heb. 11:7]; Abraham [Heb. 6:15]; Joseph [Gen. 37-41. Cp. Ps. 37:4-6]; Simeon [Luke 2:25-32. Lam. 3:25,26]; Paul [2 Cor. 1:12. 2 Tim. 4:7,8].)
19 Thus righteousness tends to life:
So he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD:
But such as are upright in their way are His delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: (Illustrations: the Babel builders [Gen. 11:1-9]; Korah [Num. 16]; the Canaanite kings [Josh 9:1,2]; Adoni-zedek [Josh. 10]; the Confederacy [Isa. 7:1-16]; the Ten Kingdoms [Rev. 19].)
But the seed of the righteous ones shall be escape (slip away)
.
22 As a nose-jewel (worn by women. See Gen. 24:47. Isa. 3:21)
of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a beautiful woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good:
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scatters, and yet increases;
And there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be enriched: (Illustrations: widow [1 Kings 17:10,&c.]; Shunammite [2 Kings 4:8,37]; Publius [Acts 28:7,8]. Cp. Phil. 4:15.)
And he that waters shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholds corn (different from hoarding it in store as in Egypt [Gen. 41:34-36; 53-57].), the people shall curse him:
But blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.
27 He that diligently seeks good procures favor:
But he that seeks mischief, it shall come to him.
28 He that confides in his riches shall fall;
But the righteous ones shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind:
And the fool (lax or careless habit of mind and body) shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that takes (i.e. reserves) souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: (This was the promise for that Dispensation [Ps. 37], not for this. See 1 Pet. 4:18. Rightly divide the Dispensations, and all difficulties are removed.)
Much more the wicked and a sinner.