Proverbs 11:6 kjv

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

Proverbs 11:6 nkjv

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

Proverbs 11:6 niv

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

Proverbs 11:6 esv

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

Proverbs 11:6 nlt

The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 6 Meaning

Proverbs 11:6 conveys a clear contrast between the destiny of the righteous and the unfaithful. It teaches that the moral uprightness and integrity of a blameless person act as a safeguard and deliver them from peril. Conversely, those who are deceitful and unfaithful are entrapped and brought to ruin by their own self-serving and destructive desires.

Proverbs 11 6 Context

Proverbs chapter 11 is a collection of pithy sayings that predominantly highlight the contrasting paths and destinies of the righteous and the wicked. The recurring theme throughout the chapter emphasizes the wisdom of integrity, generosity, and humility, illustrating how these virtues lead to blessing and stability, both for the individual and the community. In contrast, pride, deceit, and covetousness are shown to bring ruin, disgrace, and eventual downfall. This verse precisely fits within this broader context, asserting that adherence to God's standards leads to protection, while self-serving desires are the undoing of the unfaithful, underscoring the intrinsic justice woven into the moral fabric of God's design. Historically, this wisdom teaching provided moral guidance within ancient Israelite society, often countering common societal inclinations towards illicit gain or exploitative practices by demonstrating their ultimate futility and destructive end, while affirming the blessed path of conformity to covenant and ethical conduct.

Proverbs 11 6 Word analysis

• The righteousness (צֶדֶק, tzedeq): This Hebrew term signifies moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to God's ethical standards. It denotes not just isolated good deeds, but an inner character aligned with what is right in God's eyes. It encompasses integrity and faithfulness in all aspects of life.
• of the upright (יְשָׁרִים, yesharim): Derived from the root yashar, meaning "straight" or "right." It describes individuals whose ways, intentions, and actions are morally straight, honest, and in alignment with God's will. They are blameless in their walk, committed to integrity.
• delivers them (תַּצִּילֵם, tatzilem from נָצַל, natsal): This verb means to rescue, save, or snatch away from danger or destruction. It indicates an active preservation and protection that righteousness provides, shielding the person from the harmful consequences of a fallen world or the snares of their adversaries.
• but the treacherous (וּבֹגְדִים, uvogdim from בָּגַד, bagad): This refers to those who are unfaithful, deceitful, or betrayers. It describes a character marked by a willingness to violate trust, break promises, or act with duplicity, often to gain personal advantage. Their conduct is characterized by unreliability and disloyalty.
• are caught (יִלָּכְדוּ, yilakdu from לָכַד, lakad): This verb means to capture, ensnare, or entrap. Used in the passive voice, it powerfully conveys that the treacherous become victims of their own doing. They are ensnared by circumstances or consequences that arise from their own deceitful choices.
• by their own covetousness (בְהַוָּתָם, b'havvatam from הַוָּה, havvah): This is a crucial term. While often translated as 'covetousness' or 'lusts', havvah more broadly signifies ruin, destruction, calamity, or mischievous desires leading to ruin. It points to destructive desires, a craving that is inherently harmful or leads to one's own downfall. It is the unholy, destructive desire originating from within that leads to their capture.

• "The righteousness of the upright delivers them": This phrase highlights the inherent power and efficacy of moral integrity. It's not external factors that save them, but their very character. Righteousness serves as both a guide away from danger and a shield against adversity, ensuring safety and flourishing in alignment with God’s established order.
• "but the treacherous are caught by their own covetousness": This second clause reveals the self-destructive nature of unfaithfulness rooted in misguided desires. The ruin of the wicked is self-inflicted; their own perverse cravings and dishonest pursuits are the very nets that ensnare them, leading to a deserved downfall rather than external aggression.

Proverbs 11 6 Bonus section

The concept of "reaping what you sow" is powerfully embedded in this verse. The deliverance of the righteous is a fruit of their uprightness, while the capture of the treacherous is a direct result of their own covetous and destructive desires. There is a strong emphasis on internal motivations (havvah) being the cause of external outcomes, underscoring moral accountability and the idea that personal desires can either lead to life or destruction.

Proverbs 11 6 Commentary

Proverbs 11:6 encapsulates a fundamental principle of divine justice: character determines destiny. The verse reveals that genuine righteousness acts as a guiding force and a source of salvation, ensuring that those who live with integrity will ultimately be delivered from harm and prosper. This deliverance is not merely a spiritual concept but often manifests in tangible protection and success in life. In stark contrast, the internal, unchecked desires—often selfish and destructive—of the unfaithful are presented as the very instrument of their downfall. The wicked are not simply punished by an external force; their own treachery, driven by distorted longings, becomes a trap they themselves lay and into which they inevitably fall. The verse, therefore, affirms God's moral order, where virtuous living is inherently protective, and wicked impulses are intrinsically self-destructive, ensuring that ultimate consequences are tied directly to one's inner state and actions.