Proverbs 11)
1 Whoso loves discipline (or correction) loves knowledge:
But he that hates reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtain favor of the LORD:
But a man of lawless devices will He condemn. (Or, will pronounce him guilty, as Job 40:8)
3 A man shall not be established by lawlessness:
But the root of righteous ones shall not be moved.
4 A worthy woman (see 31:10 and Ruth 31:11) is a crown (a bridal crown) to her husband:
But she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just (as to their character): (Illustrations: David [1 Sam. 23:9; 26:8-11]; Daniel [Dan. 1:8; 6:4]; Nathanael [John 1:47].)
But the steerings (or directions) of the lawless ones are deception. (Illustrations: Korah [Num. 16]; Jeroboam [1 Kings 12:28. Cp. v.16]; the prophet of Beth-el [1 Kings 13:18. Cp. Prov. 11:9]; Sanballat [Neh. 6:2]; Haman [Est. 3:5,6,8]; Ishmael [Jer. 40:14]; Herod [Matt. 2:8,16]; Pharisees [Matt. 22:15,16]; Pharisees [Matt. 22:15,16]; Judas [John 12:4-6])
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood:
But the mouth of upright ones shall deliver them.
7 The lawless are overthrown (cp. Gen. 19:21,25,29. 2 Sam. 10:3. 1 Chron. 19:3,&c.), there is nothing of them left:
But the house of the righteous ones shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended (Illustration: Joseph [Gen. 41:39]) according to his wisdom (prudence, or good sense):
But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. (Illustrations: Hophni and Phinehas [1 Sam. 1:3; 2:17,30]; Nabal [1 Sam. 25:2,17. Cp. Prov. 28:6]; Judah [Jer. 4:22,30. Lam. 1:8]; lost son [Luke 15:15,16].)
9 Better to be a little noticed and have a servant, is better
Than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man knows the soul of his beast: (Illustrations; Jacob [Gen. 33:13,14]; David [1 Sam. 17:34,35].)
But the tender mercies of lawless ones are cruel. (Illustrations: Nahash [1 Sam. 11:1,2]; Pilate [Luke 23:16].)
11 He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: (Illustrations: Isaac [Gen. 26:12]; Jacob [Gen. 31:40; 32:10].)
But he that follows vain persons is void of understanding. (Illustrations: Abimelech's followers [Judg. 9. Cp. Prov. 24:21]; Theudas [Acts 5:26,37]. Sept. adds: "He that delights himself in the drinking of wine shall leave his own stronghold a disgrace".)
12 A lawless one desires the net (put for what is caught in it) of evil men (i.e. which evil men use):
But the root of righteous ones gives [to others] fruit. (I.e. instead of taking them as prey.)
13 An evil man is snared by the transgression of his lips: (Illustrations: Korah [Num. 16:1-3, 31-35. Ps. 64:8]; the Amalekite [2 Sam. 1:2-16]; Adonijah [1 Kings 2:23]; Daniel's accusers [Dan. 6:24]; Kenites [27:25].)
But a righteous one shall come out of trouble. (Illustrations: Joshua and Caleb [Num. 14:10,24,30]; Esther and her People [Est. 7:3; 8:3-17; 9:25]; Peter [Acts 11:2-18; 12:3-18].)
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth:
And the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool (lax or careless habit of mind and body) is right in his own eyes:
But he that hearkens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool's (as above) wrath lets itself be immediately (at once, the same day) known: (Illustrations: Jehoram [2 Kings 6:31]; Jezebel [1 Kings 19:1,2]; Nebuchadnezzar [Dan. 3:19]; synagogue at Nazareth [Luke 4:28].)
But a prudent man conceals public ignominity. (Put for an affront which causes it. Illustrations: Gideon [Judg. 8:2,3. Cp. 8:1]; Hezekiah [Isa. 36:21. Cp. Prov. 26:4]; David [1 Sam. 17:29,30. Cp. v.28]; Saul [1 Sam. 10:27.Cp. 20:30-33].)
17 He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness:
But a false witness deception.
18 There is that speaks like the stabs of a sword: (Illustrations: Saul [1 Sam. 20:30; and 18:21. Cp. Ps. 57:4, and Prov. 16:27]; Doeg [1 Sam. 22:9-19]; Kenites [John 8:48]; Jeremiah [Lam. 3:14. Heb. 36].)
But the tongue of the wise is health. (Illustrations: Jethro [Ex. 18:17-26]; Abigail [1 Sam. 25:24-33]; the woman [2 Sam. 20:16]; Stephen [Acts 7:59. Cp. 22:20].)
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: (Illustration: Caleb and Joshua [Num. 14:30,38].)
But a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Illustrations: Ahab [1 Kings 22:30,37]; Hananiah [Jer. 28:2,11. Cp. vv.15-17]; Gehazi [2 Kings 5:22,25,27. Prov. 10:9]; Ananais [Acts 5:5,10. Prov. 21:6].)
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil:
But to the counselors of peace is joy.
21 There shall nothing in vain happen to a righteous one:
But the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: (See 3:22.)
But they that deal truly are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge: (Illustrations: Samuel [1 Sam. 9:27. Cp. 10:16]; Nehemiah [Neh. 6:2,3])
But the heart of fools (fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety) proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: (Illustrations: Eleazar [Gen. 24:2,10]; Joseph [Gen. 39:4,22]; Jeroboam [1 Kings 11:28].)
But the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Anxiety in the heart of man makes it bowed down: (Illustrations: Ezra [Ezra 9:3-10:6]; Nehemiah [Neh. 1:4]; David [Ps. 40;12]; Jeremiah [Jer. 8:18].)
But a good word makes [the man] glad [by driving it away].
26 A righteous one guides his neighbor:
But the way of lawless ones leads them astray.
27 The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting:
But the substance of a diligent man (i.e. that which the diligent man "starts" and obtains is substantial) is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life: (i.e. life eternal. See Lev. 18:5)
And in the pathway thereof there is immortality.