Proverbs – Chapter 11

Old Testament • 31 Verses

Chapter Summary

"A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will." — so begins Proverbs 11. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God's protection and deliverance. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.

2Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.

3The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.

4Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.

5The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

6The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.

7When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.

8The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.

9The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.

10When it goeth well with the just, the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish, there shall be praise.

11By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.

12He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.

13He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.

14Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.

15He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of snares, shall be secure.

16A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.

17A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.

18The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.

19Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.

20A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.

21Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.

22A golden ring in a swine's snout, a woman fair and foolish.

23The desire of the just is all good, the expectation of the wicked is indignation.

24Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.

25The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

26He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.

27Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things, shall be oppressed by them.

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.

29He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.

30The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls is wise.

31If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.

Important Verses in Proverbs 11

“A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.”

Proverbs 11:1

“The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.”

Proverbs 11:6

“He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.”

Proverbs 11:12

“The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.”

Proverbs 11:18

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Proverbs was written with the young and all who seek to live skillfully before God in view. Chapter 11 of 31 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will." The chapter ends with: "If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner. " Read against its original backdrop, Proverbs distills practical wisdom for daily life—speech, work, friendship, family, money—under one master principle: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Prov 9:10). Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'

When It Was Written

Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize justice and care for the poor as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Proverbs Chapter 11 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Proverbs Chapter 11. At the moral level, discernment and obedience to God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 2105).

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2559).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proverbs Chapter 11 about?

Proverbs 11 contains 31 verses. It opens with "A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will." and closes with "If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner. ". The book as a whole is wisdom sayings and instructions.

What is a key verse in Proverbs 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Proverbs and when?

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'. Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Job 22Shares people and themes with this chapterPsalms 33Shares people and themes with this chapterWisdom 10Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Prayers for Protection🙏Prayer to St. Michael

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