Proverbs 11:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

NIV: Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

NASB: Be assured, the evil person will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be rescued.

CSB: Be assured that a wicked person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

NLT: Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.

KJV: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

NKJV: Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

A common assumption for those who do evil is that no one will know, or that no consequences will be met (Psalm 10:3–6; 94:7). A common theme of the book of Proverbs is that consequences for sin are guaranteed for those who ignore God (Proverbs 10:16, 28). In most cases, that means the natural effects of cruelty, greed, and depravity (Proverbs 6:27–28; 11:8). Scripture acknowledges that godliness in earthly life does not come with an absolute promise of health and prosperity (Psalm 4:1–3; 73:1–3). However, the result of honoring God typically leads to more earthly safety, and absolutely brings eternal life (Psalm 112:2; John 3:16–18; 6:29).

An evil person may continue in his wicked ways, thinking he will not be punished, but this verse promises he will be punished. In the garden of Eden God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Disobedience would incur the death penalty (Genesis 2:17). Sadly, Adam and Eve disobeyed and later died. First, they died spiritually, and eventually they died physically. Genesis 5 records the deaths of Adam's descendants. Despite longevity, they all died. Hebrews 9:27 promises that every person will die and face judgment. Someday, every unbeliever will be judged at the Great White Throne and be consigned to eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10–15), but as this verse teaches, those who follow righteousness and godliness will go unpunished. Romans 8:1 assures us, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

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.

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.