Proverbs 13:11 kjv
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Proverbs 13:11 nkjv
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
Proverbs 13:11 niv
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Proverbs 13:11 esv
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
Proverbs 13:11 nlt
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
Proverbs 13 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:4 | A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. | Diligence yields wealth. |
| Prov 21:5 | The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | Diligence versus quick haste. |
| Prov 28:22 | A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will overtake him. | Impatient desire for wealth leads to loss. |
| Prov 20:21 | An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. | Hasty inheritance lacks enduring blessing. |
| Prov 28:8 | Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit... gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. | Ill-gotten wealth eventually dissipates. |
| Jer 17:11 | Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she has not hatched, so is he who gets riches, but not by justice... | Unjustly gained riches will not last. |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | God's blessing brings enduring wealth without sorrow. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy... | Earthly, fleeting treasures compared to lasting heavenly ones. |
| Jas 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. | Patience and perseverance are valued. |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. | The necessity of endurance for receiving promises. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God's faithful provision for His people. |
| Prov 22:16 | Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth... will only come to poverty. | Oppression for wealth brings poverty. |
| Isa 3:5 | The people will oppress one another, man against man, and neighbor against neighbor... | Social instability due to greed and injustice. |
| Eze 22:12 | In you men take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbors by extortion... | Condemnation of dishonest gain and exploitation. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Warnings against the dangers of desiring quick riches. |
| Prov 8:18 | Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. | Wisdom yields enduring wealth and righteousness. |
| Prov 24:3-4 | By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled... | Wisdom and understanding build lasting prosperity. |
| 2 Thess 3:10 | For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. | Emphasizes the importance of honest labor. |
| Ps 37:16 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. | Righteous modest gain is superior to unrighteous large gain. |
| Hab 2:6 | Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own... and loads himself with pledges! | Condemns accumulating wealth unjustly. |
| Prov 15:6 | In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. | Righteous wealth provides security, wicked income brings trouble. |
| Deut 8:18 | You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth... | God is the ultimate source of all true, blessed wealth. |
Proverbs 13 verses
Proverbs 13 11 Meaning
Proverbs 13:11 conveys a fundamental principle about wealth: riches acquired suddenly, often through dishonest means or fleeting opportunities, are inherently unstable and will quickly diminish. Conversely, wealth accumulated gradually through diligent and patient effort tends to grow steadily and endure. It highlights the stark contrast between superficial gain and lasting prosperity rooted in righteous conduct.
Proverbs 13 11 Context
Proverbs chapter 13, characteristic of wisdom literature, extensively contrasts the outcomes of wise versus foolish, and righteous versus wicked conduct. This verse on wealth fits into a broader theme concerning the practical consequences of one's choices, particularly regarding integrity and diligence. The chapter touches on the power of speech (vv. 2-3), the rewards of labor (v. 4), the contrast between pride and humility (v. 7), and the benefits of discipline (v. 24). Historically, ancient Israel's economy relied on agriculture and trades. The wisdom tradition, embodied in Proverbs, guided daily living by promoting honest work, fair dealings, and responsible stewardship, thereby cautioning against methods of wealth acquisition that undermined community well-being or individual integrity.
Proverbs 13 11 Word analysis
- Wealth (הוֹן - hon): Refers to material possessions, substance, or riches. Its presence in Proverbs often invites scrutiny regarding its source and stewardship.
- Gained hastily / from vanity (מֵהֶבֶל - mehebel): The Hebrew word hebel (root of "vanity" in Ecclesiastes) fundamentally means "vapor," "breath," "futility," or "insubstantiality." With the prefix me- ("from" or "by"), this phrase literally means "from vanity" or "by fraud." This suggests wealth acquired through speculative ventures, schemes without real substance, dishonest practices, or by means that are inherently fleeting, like a mere puff of breath. It points to ill-gotten gains or wealth that provides no lasting foundation.
- Will dwindle (יִמְעָט - yim'at): From the verb ma'at, meaning "to be small," "diminish," or "decrease." It signifies that wealth acquired without proper foundation or through unrighteous means will inevitably shrink, scatter, or be lost, proving its inherent instability.
- But whoever gathers it (קֹבֵץ - qobetz): "Gathers" implies a deliberate, active, and intentional process of accumulating. It suggests careful collection, indicative of patient effort rather than sudden acquisition.
- Little by little (בְּיָד - b'yad): Literally meaning "by hand" or "with the hand." This signifies wealth accrued through one's own labor, reflecting diligent, painstaking, and consistent effort. It stands in direct opposition to "hastily gained," emphasizing gradual, steady accumulation that results from honest work and careful management over time.
- Will increase it (יַרְבֶּה - yarbeh): From the root rabah, meaning "to be much," "to multiply," or "to become great." This indicates that wealth acquired through steady, honest, and prudent effort is blessed with growth, multiplication, and enduring stability, leading to true prosperity.
- "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle": This phrase warns against the allure of "get-rich-quick" schemes, dishonest dealings, or speculative practices that are founded on deception or insubstantiality. Such gains are temporary and volatile, lacking any solid basis for endurance.
- "but whoever gathers it little by little will increase it": This contrasting clause highlights the enduring value of patient, diligent, and honest labor. It posits that lasting prosperity and genuine increase are built incrementally, through consistent effort and principled stewardship.
Proverbs 13 11 Bonus section
The Septuagint (LXX) translation of the phrase "wealth gained hastily" is often rendered as "wealth gained from unrighteousness," strongly emphasizing the unethical nature of such acquisition rather than merely the speed. This interpretation aligns with broader biblical teachings against exploitation, fraud, and greed. The proverb also serves as a polemic against common human tendencies to seek immediate gratification or quick returns without proper effort or moral consideration, a desire that frequently leads to financial ruin or moral compromise. It promotes a divine economic wisdom that aligns with the principles of diligence, patience, and integrity over the deceptive promise of sudden riches.
Proverbs 13 11 Commentary
Proverbs 13:11 sets forth a foundational principle about the ethics and longevity of wealth: the method of acquisition fundamentally determines its outcome. Wealth that is "gained hastily"—which, by its original Hebrew connotation (mehebel), often implies dishonestly, deceptively, or through methods that lack substance—is shown to be intrinsically fleeting. Like a vapor, it is without real foundation and is prone to rapid dissolution, proving that ill-gotten gains do not truly enrich or bring security. This speaks to the divine principle that anything built on unrighteousness cannot stand (Jer 17:11). In stark contrast, the proverb commends wealth accumulated "little by little," or "by hand." This describes the steady, diligent, and patient effort characteristic of honest work and responsible management. Such wealth, acquired with integrity and perseverance, is depicted as naturally growing and enduring. It highlights that true prosperity is not about sudden fortune, but about faithful, consistent labor, reflecting God’s design for human flourishing and stewardship. The verse is a powerful ethical statement, valuing the character developed in the process of building wealth—patience, honesty, diligence—over the fleeting allure of expedient, unprincipled gain.