25 The liberal [1] soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth [2] souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God's blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
26 Curses on those who drive a hard bargain! Blessings on all who play fair and square!
27 The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil.
28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
29 Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air; common sense tells you it's a stupid way to live.
30 A good life is a fruit-bearing tree; a violent life destroys souls.
31 If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad!
25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!
28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 11:25-31
Commentary on Proverbs 11:25
(Read Proverbs 11:25)
Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:26
(Read Proverbs 11:26)
We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:27
(Read Proverbs 11:27)
Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:28
(Read Proverbs 11:28)
The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:29
(Read Proverbs 11:29)
He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:30
(Read Proverbs 11:30)
The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:31
(Read Proverbs 11:31)
Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.