Proverbs 11:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

NIV: Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

NASB: One who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But one who pursues evil attains his own death.

CSB: Genuine righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil leads to death.

NLT: Godly people find life; evil people find death.

KJV: As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

NKJV: As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

Solomon acknowledges that God rewards righteous living with life but inflicts death on those who lead a wicked life. As a statement of general wisdom, this is common sense. Those who pursue truth, goodness, kindness, and mercy are more likely to be respected and helped by others, while avoiding the natural consequences of evil and selfishness (Proverbs 10:24; 11:6, 17). Of course, good people suffer tragedy and loss, and evil people sometimes prosper (Psalm 73:1–3). The absolute fulfillment of this truth is in eternity (Proverbs 11:7).

Romans 6:23 encapsulates these ideas, saying: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The apostle Paul was steadfast in righteousness and could embrace death as a steppingstone to a crown of righteousness at Jesus' return. He writes in 2 Timothy 4:7–8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day." Throughout his Christian life, Paul maintained self-control so that would not become disqualified in the Christian race but would receive an imperishable prize (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).

Whereas the righteous can eagerly anticipate endless life (Proverbs 14:27), the wicked have no hope. Eternal death lies ahead for them.

Proverbs 11:16–22 continues Solomon's series of contrasts. Here he compares the beautiful life of those who pursue God's truth with that of those who live in their own sinful ways. He also contrasts the righteous person's end of life with that of the wicked person. He portrays the wicked person as an abomination in the sight of the Lord, whereas the righteous person is a delight to the Lord.

Many of the proverbs in this section deal with contrasts between those who are righteous and those who are wicked. Righteous people follow God's will, bring honor and blessing on themselves, and have hope. Evil people disobey God, bring trouble on others, are hated, and their lives lead to disaster.

This continues a long passage filled with Solomon's general, common-sense observations. As in chapter 10, Solomon presents a variety of contrasts. We see distinctions such as those between integrity and dishonesty, trust in wealth and trust in the Lord, wise and foolish talk, true riches and false riches, the blessing of the righteous and the harm caused by the wicked, and the respective rewards of the godly and those who are evil.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.