FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 11:26
KJVHe that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Read it in context
Dishonest Scales
Start reading at Proverbs 11:1 (Proverbs 11:1 to Proverbs 11:31).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
- 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
- 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
- 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
- 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
- 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
- 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
- 11:8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
- 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
- 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
- 11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
- 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
- 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
- 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
- 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
- 11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
- 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
- 11:19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
- 11:20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
- 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
- 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
- 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
- 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
- 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
- 11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
- 11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
- 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
- 11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
- 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
- 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Dishonest Scales. Read Proverbs 11:1 through Proverbs 11:31 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Dishonest Scales (Proverbs 11:1 to Proverbs 11:31). Start reading at Proverbs 11:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 11:31, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- that withholdeth Amos 8:4-6
- blessing Job 29:13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 11
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.