Proverbs 11

11:1 Here, honest practices are applied to the business world (see also 16:11; 20:10, 23; Lev 19:35-37; Deut 25:13-15; Ezek 45:10; Hos 12:7-8; Mic 6:11). • Scales were often made of two metal bowls suspended from a crossbar. The unit of currency, the shekel, comes from the verb meaning “to weigh” (see Amos 8:5-6).

11:2 Pride is dishonest self-promotion, whereas humility is an honest assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses.

11:4 Right living, which flows from wisdom, is more important than riches. Nothing is wrong with riches (10:15, 22; 14:24) that are gained properly (cp. 13:11; 21:6; 22:16).

11:10 Our actions, whether godly or wicked, affect the whole city (cp. Eccl 8:9-13).

11:13 This perspective on a gossip is repeated in 20:19.

11:14 The future of an entire nation depends on wisdom.

11:15 This message is repeated in 6:1-5; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.

11:16 Respect is the great and lasting reward of being gracious, while wealth is the lesser and temporary prize of being ruthless (see also 10:2; 11:18).

11:21 Godly behavior has positive consequences for the next generation.

11:22 Discretion is the ability to tell right from wrong, the beautiful from the ugly, and good taste from bad taste.

11:23 The wicked might prosper and the godly might suffer in the short term, but the future will right this imbalance.

11:24-26 Generous people who give freely to others will prosper, but those who hoard their money will lose it (see 28:27; 2 Cor 9:6-9).

11:28 Money can be a blessing from God, but it is uncertain. The godly trust in God and flourish (see Ps 1).

11:31 The implied answer is that wicked sinners will be punished on earth.