Proverbs 11:18 kjv
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18 nkjv
The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18 niv
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18 esv
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18 nlt
Evil people get rich for the moment,
but the reward of the godly will last.
Proverbs 11 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Job 4:8 | "As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same." | Reaping what one sows, specifically wickedness |
| Ps 58:11 | "Then people will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.'" | Affirmation of reward for the righteous |
| Isa 3:10 | "Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds." | Promise of good outcome for righteous |
| Jer 12:13 | "They have sown wheat and reaped thorns; they have exhausted themselves for nothing." | Futility of wicked endeavors |
| Hos 10:13 | "You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies." | Wickedness yields destructive fruit |
| Pr 10:2 | "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death." | Deceptive nature of wicked gain |
| Pr 13:6 | "Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." | Righteousness protects, wickedness destroys |
| Pr 21:6 | "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death." | Deception brings ephemeral, deadly rewards |
| Pr 22:8 | "Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail." | Sowing injustice leads to negative consequences |
| Pr 28:13 | "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." | No true prosperity in wickedness |
| Mal 3:18 | "Then you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him." | Distinction in outcomes |
| Mt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Seeking righteousness brings true blessings |
| Lk 6:38 | "Give, and it will be given to you—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over..." | Principle of generous sowing and reaping |
| Rom 2:6 | "He will render to each one according to his works:" | God's justice in rewarding actions |
| Rom 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Wages of wickedness vs. divine reward |
| 1 Cor 3:8 | "He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor." | Reward for labor for God's kingdom |
| 2 Cor 9:6 | "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." | Direct sowing/reaping principle |
| Gal 6:7-9 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." | Ultimate expression of sowing/reaping |
| Eph 6:8 | "knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or free." | Divine assurance of good reward |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." | God as a faithful rewarder |
| Jas 3:18 | "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." | Righteous actions yield positive outcomes |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | Christ's return bringing full recompense |
Proverbs 11 verses
Proverbs 11 18 Meaning
Proverbs 11:18 presents a stark contrast between the outcomes of wickedness and righteousness. It teaches that the labor of the wicked results in a deceitful and ultimately empty recompense, offering only an illusion of gain that fades or harms. Conversely, the one who diligently practices righteousness will receive a true, substantial, and enduring reward, highlighting the certainty of God’s just recompense for deeds rooted in integrity and obedience to His ways.
Proverbs 11 18 Context
Proverbs 11 is a rich tapestry of wisdom sayings that continually contrast the character and destiny of the righteous and the wicked. Throughout the chapter, a clear moral and spiritual dichotomy is drawn, emphasizing the ethical foundations of well-being and ruin. Themes such as integrity versus perversity, generosity versus greed, humility versus pride, and their respective consequences run consistently. Verse 18 fits within this larger discourse by focusing on the 'earnings' or 'rewards' that accrue from one's life work. It expands on the idea that internal character, manifest in actions, dictates external outcome, serving as a warning to the wicked about their deceptive gains and an encouragement to the righteous regarding their true recompense, often tied to God's ultimate justice and order in the world.
Proverbs 11 18 Word analysis
- The wicked (רָשָׁע - rasha): Refers to the morally guilty, lawless, or those who act contrary to divine or established human law. This is not merely an unfortunate person but one who actively chooses paths of unrighteousness, injustice, or rebellion against God's ways.
- earns (פֹּעֵל - po'el, "one who works, acts"): Implies labor, effort, or an active doing. It highlights that the wicked are not passive but exert energy in their pursuits. The term emphasizes the activity, not just the nature, of the wicked person.
- deceptive wages (פְּעֻלַּת־שָׁ֑קֶר - pe'ullath sheqer, "wage/activity of falsehood/deception"): Pe'ullah denotes work, action, or wages/recompense. Sheqer means a lie, falsehood, deceit, or unreality. The phrase indicates that what the wicked gain or achieve through their efforts is inherently flawed, built on illusion, instability, or falsehood. It might appear advantageous initially, but its true nature is deceitful, leading to ultimate loss, ruin, or lack of genuine value.
- but the one who sows (וְזוֹרֵעַ - vezorea', "and one who sows"): Zorea' comes from the verb meaning "to scatter seed," implying intentional, active planting. This agricultural metaphor signifies proactive, continuous, and purposeful actions with an expectation of a future harvest. It emphasizes forethought and patient investment.
- righteousness (צְדָקָה - tzedakah): Encompasses moral and ethical rectitude, integrity, justice, and adherence to God's standards and will. It refers to a life lived in alignment with divine truth, reflecting just and upright conduct toward both God and humanity.
- gets a true reward (שֶׂכֶר אֱמֶ֑ת - sekher 'emeth, "wage/reward of truth/faithfulness"): Sekher denotes wages, reward, or recompense. Emeth means truth, firmness, faithfulness, stability, or reliability. The phrase signifies a recompense that is real, lasting, dependable, and in full alignment with divine truth and promise. Unlike the fleeting gains of the wicked, this reward is substantial, certain, and unfailing.
Words-group Analysis:
- "The wicked earns deceptive wages": This phrase highlights the inherent futility and instability of gains acquired through ungodly means. It underscores a spiritual law where a foundation of falsehood can only produce a harvest of unreality, deception, and ultimately, emptiness or destruction. The "deceptive wages" are not merely insufficient; they actively betray expectations and bring negative consequences. This points to the transient nature of illicit gain and the divine order that ensures wickedness cannot produce lasting good.
- "but the one who sows righteousness gets a true reward": This contrasts with the previous clause, illustrating the certainty and qualitative superiority of rewards for righteous living. The agricultural metaphor of "sowing" implies investment, effort, and patience, leading to an inevitable and guaranteed "harvest." The "true reward" is faithful, genuine, and enduring, reflective of God's character and His promise to those who walk in His ways. It is a reward that stands the test of time and holds intrinsic value.
Proverbs 11 18 Bonus section
The proverb underscores the eschatological dimension of biblical wisdom, where current actions are inherently linked to future outcomes, both temporal and eternal. The "wages" of the wicked can be seen as immediate, fleeting earthly gains (power, wealth, pleasure) that often lead to spiritual death and judgment, whereas the "true reward" for the righteous can include both present blessings (peace of conscience, good reputation, favor) and eternal recompense from God. This proverb also functions as a polemic against common human tendencies to seek quick gain through dishonest means, asserting that such endeavors, despite superficial appearances, are fundamentally unprofitable and built on lies. The underlying principle is God's unwavering faithfulness to His created moral order: what is sown will undeniably be reaped, according to its true nature.
Proverbs 11 18 Commentary
Proverbs 11:18 articulates a fundamental principle of divine justice: the ultimate outcome of one's actions is determined by the character of those actions themselves. The verse draws a sharp dichotomy, revealing that the wicked's strenuous efforts yield a deceitful return—illusions of profit that cannot stand, often leading to spiritual poverty or actual ruin. This is not simply about earthly success or failure but about the very essence and quality of what is gained; the wicked's reward lacks truth and substance. In stark contrast, the diligent and consistent pursuit of righteousness, like the careful planting of seeds, promises a harvest that is unequivocally genuine and stable. This "true reward" transcends material wealth, encompassing blessings like peace, integrity, divine favor, and eternal life, underscoring that God Himself is the faithful one who ensures the righteous receive their sure inheritance.