Proverbs 11:5 kjv

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 nkjv

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 niv

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 esv

The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 nlt

The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 5 Meaning

Proverbs 11:5 articulates a fundamental principle of divine order: the moral character of an individual directly determines the nature of their life's journey and ultimate destiny. Those whose lives are marked by integrity and righteousness will find their path made clear, secure, and prosperous by divine providence, while those who persist in wickedness will inevitably bring about their own destruction and downfall.

Proverbs 11 5 Context

Proverbs 11:5 is nestled within a chapter that repeatedly contrasts the righteous and the wicked, underscoring the intrinsic consequences of character and conduct. This verse uses antithetical parallelism, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, to starkly highlight the differing destinies. The surrounding verses in Proverbs 11 often amplify this theme: for instance, verse 3 states that "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them," and verse 6 notes that "The righteousness of the upright delivers them." The chapter frequently touches upon themes of justice, honesty, humility, and the impact of these on a person's life, reputation, and ultimate fate.

Historically and culturally, Proverbs arises from the ancient Israelite wisdom tradition, which taught that God's moral order is interwoven into the fabric of creation. This perspective asserts that life is not chaotic or random but governed by divine principles where actions bring commensurate results. Unlike some pagan beliefs where fate might be arbitrary or gods capricious, Proverbs posits a universe where integrity naturally leads to a straight, secure path, and wickedness inherently leads to a fall. The "way" (derek) metaphor is a rich concept in the Bible, representing a person's conduct, character, and life's trajectory, always understood within the covenant relationship with God.

Proverbs 11 5 Word analysis

• The righteousness (צֶדֶק - tsedeq): This word signifies more than mere moral correctness; it encompasses justice, equity, integrity, and adherence to divine standards. It speaks of a righteous standing with God and a life lived in accordance with His commands, reflecting a pervasive moral character, not just isolated acts.
• of the blameless (תָּמִים - tamim): Means whole, complete, perfect, sound, or innocent. In a moral context, it refers not to sinless perfection, but to integrity, sincerity, and undivided devotion. It implies a heart truly committed to God, free from hidden motives or corrupt intentions, characterized by consistency and uprightness.
• makes his way straight (יְשָׁרֵה - yeshār-heh from יָשַׁר - yashar): Literally, "to make smooth, straight, right, or prosperous." This implies a path free from hindrances, divinely directed, and leading to stability, success (in God's terms), and a sense of clear progression. It denotes guidance, ease of movement, and ethical correctness.
• but the wicked (רָשָׁע - rasha): Refers to the unrighteous, the guilty, or those who are in the wrong. It characterizes individuals who wilfully transgress God's laws, exhibiting moral depravity, defiance, and opposition to divine and human order. Their inner being is distorted.
• falls (יִפּוֹל - yippol from נָפַל - naphal): To fall down, stumble, collapse, fail, be ruined, perish. This is a dramatic term indicating an irreversible descent, a catastrophic collapse or failure. It implies a loss of position, security, or life itself.
• by his own wickedness (בְּרִשְׁעָתוֹ - berish’ato from רֶשַׁע - resha): Signifies by means of or because of his own evil, injustice, guilt, or wrongdoing. This emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of the downfall; the wicked are destroyed by their own intrinsic character and actions, rather than by an external force.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The righteousness of the blameless": This phrase combines the character (blamelessness, integrity of heart) with its fruit (righteous actions). It highlights that it is an internal state of moral purity that actively shapes external conduct and outcome. It points to a deep, consistent ethical foundation.
• "makes his way straight": This refers to the positive consequence of upright living. The "way" signifies one's life course, conduct, or destiny. "Making straight" implies that God Himself or the inherent order He established provides clarity, guidance, and removes obstacles, ensuring prosperity and purpose according to His will.
• "but the wicked falls": This offers a stark, direct contrast, emphasizing the inevitable negative outcome for those without moral integrity. "Falls" implies a swift, certain, and devastating collapse, both in reputation, endeavor, and ultimately life.
• "by his own wickedness": This critical addition clarifies the mechanism of the wicked's downfall. It's not an arbitrary punishment, but a direct result—an internal consequence—of their own choices, actions, and corrupt nature. Their evil turns back upon them.

Proverbs 11 5 Bonus section

The structure of Proverbs 11:5 exemplifies perfect antithetical parallelism, a common literary device in wisdom literature, directly contrasting two opposite ideas or states for heightened impact and clarity of the moral lesson. The verse implies that the "straight path" for the righteous is not necessarily an easy one, but rather one that is clear in its purpose, ethically sound, divinely guided, and ultimately leads to life and security, despite challenges. This moral order is consistent across all aspects of life, reflecting God's unwavering character as the ultimate Judge and Upholder of justice, whose principles ensure that moral uprightness builds and moral corruption dismantles. The emphasis on "his own wickedness" for the fall of the wicked strongly highlights personal responsibility and culpability, reinforcing the just nature of divine consequences.

Proverbs 11 5 Commentary

Proverbs 11:5 succinctly portrays a fundamental truth about divine justice and the moral architecture of the world: character inherently determines destiny. The verse contrasts two types of individuals: the "blameless" (possessing inner integrity) whose "righteousness" (outwardly just living) causes their "way" (life's journey) to be "straight" (guided, clear, secure, prosperous); and the "wicked" (characterized by moral corruption) who "falls" (experiences ruin and collapse) by "his own wickedness" (his self-destructive actions and choices).

This passage speaks to the intrinsic link between who a person is and what happens to them. The righteous do not merely avoid pitfalls by luck; their very righteousness acts as a guiding and protective force, making their path clear, firm, and purposeful in the eyes of God. This straightness implies divine approval, divine guidance, and alignment with God's ultimate design for a flourishing life, even amidst trials. Conversely, the wicked's choices are portrayed as inherently destabilizing and self-destructive. Their own malice, dishonesty, and disobedience become the very instrument of their undoing, leading to an inevitable, often sudden, and devastating collapse. The "fall" is not an arbitrary judgment from above but the natural, built-in consequence of living contrary to God's established moral order. This principle offers profound insight for life: cultivate righteousness, and your path will be clear; embrace wickedness, and you prepare your own destruction.

• Examples: Joseph, in his unwavering integrity and blamelessness in all circumstances (even slavery and false accusation), saw his way become straight to a position of leadership and purpose. King Saul, by contrast, fell by his own wickedness, characterized by disobedience and jealousy, leading to his eventual downfall and rejection as king.