Proverbs 13:6 kjv

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Proverbs 13:6 nkjv

Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Proverbs 13:6 niv

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Proverbs 13:6 esv

Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.

Proverbs 13:6 nlt

Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 6 Meaning

Proverbs 13:6 asserts a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom: righteous living provides preservation and security, while wicked living inevitably leads to destruction. It describes the inherent consequences embedded in the moral order of the world established by God. The integrity of an individual's character and actions, characterized by alignment with God's ways, offers protection and stability. Conversely, a life marked by evil and disobedience brings about ruin and downfall for the one who practices it.

Proverbs 13 6 Context

Proverbs 13 is a collection of binary maxims, contrasting wisdom with folly and the righteous with the wicked, highlighting their respective consequences. This chapter discusses various facets of human conduct—truthfulness, diligence, counsel, wealth, the power of the tongue, and discipline—and links each to specific outcomes. Verse 6 perfectly encapsulates the chapter's overarching theme: righteous living secures well-being, while wickedness leads to ruin. It's an affirmation of God's moral order, where ethical choices have intrinsic repercussions, reinforcing the retributive justice seen throughout much of wisdom literature. The verse operates within a wisdom framework that assumes divine oversight and a moral universe where actions directly yield consequences.

Proverbs 13 6 Word analysis

• Righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedakah): This Hebrew term implies more than just adherence to rules. It encompasses ethical conduct, integrity, justice, and alignment with God's revealed will and character. It's an active, relational concept of doing what is right in God's eyes and toward one's fellow humans. In a biblical context, it refers to a covenantal faithfulness, demonstrating moral soundness and ethical living.
• guards (תִּנְצֹר, tinṣor): This verb means to watch over, keep, preserve, protect. It conveys a strong sense of safeguarding or active protection. It can imply God's direct intervention to protect the righteous, or it can describe the inherent protective quality of living righteously, which leads to fewer pitfalls and less exposure to danger compared to a life of folly.
• him who is upright in way (תָּם־דֶּרֶךְ, tam-derekh):
  • upright (תָּם, tam): Means complete, blameless, whole, sincere, morally integrated. It doesn't denote sinless perfection but rather integrity of character and heart—a wholeness in one's commitment to God's way. Examples like Noah (Gen 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1) are described using this term.
  • in way (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): Refers to one's path, conduct, or course of life. So, "upright in way" signifies someone whose entire lifestyle and choices are characterized by integrity and adherence to God's standards.
• but wickedness (וְרִשְׁעָה, vĕrishʿāh): The antonym of tsedakah. This term signifies godlessness, moral corruption, injustice, and active evil. It is a rebellion against divine order and involves deeds that are contrary to righteousness.
• overthrows (תְּסַלֵּף, tĕsallēf): This verb means to twist, pervert, bring to ruin, overthrow, or make crooked. It's a powerful verb suggesting utter destruction or bringing someone to their downfall by corrupting their path. It conveys a destructive, ruinous outcome.
• the sinner (חַטָּאת, ḥaṭṭāṯ): While ḥaṭṭaṯ most often means "sin" or "sin offering," here, in parallelism with rish'ah (wickedness), it refers to the person characterized by sin—the one whose identity and actions are defined by being a sinner. The abstract quality of "wickedness" directly impacts "the sinner."

Words-group analysis:

• "Righteousness guards him who is upright in way": This phrase links the external manifestation of "righteousness" (tsedakah) with the internal character of being "upright" (tam). It paints a picture where consistent, sincere moral integrity acts as a protective shield and guiding force throughout one's life ("in way"). This protection stems from living in accordance with divine principles.
• "but wickedness overthrows the sinner": This contrasts sharply with the first part. Here, the abstract "wickedness" (rish'ah) actively brings about ruin ("overthrows") for the person who is defined by or engages in "sin" (ḥaṭṭaṯ). This highlights the self-destructive nature of sin and unrighteous living, where evil deeds intrinsically lead to one's own downfall and moral perversion.

Proverbs 13 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew wisdom tradition, as exemplified in Proverbs, emphasizes that moral order is woven into the fabric of creation. This is often referred to as a "retribution principle," but it's more accurately understood as God's ongoing moral governance where ethical choices carry inherent, divinely ordained consequences. The verse is not merely stating "karma," but reflects the active presence and justice of God overseeing the universe. The protection offered to the upright is not always from immediate physical harm, but primarily from moral decay, social ruin, and ultimate spiritual destruction. Likewise, the overthrow of the sinner refers to the intrinsic collapse that sin brings upon one's life, even if outward prosperity is temporarily observed. This principle finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who lived the perfectly righteous life and provides righteousness to believers, enabling their "way" to be "upright."

Proverbs 13 6 Commentary

Proverbs 13:6 functions as a foundational statement of God's moral governance in the world. It’s not merely a sociological observation but a theological declaration: there is a divine order that rewards righteousness and punishes wickedness. Righteousness, defined by covenant fidelity and ethical conduct, acts as an inherent defense and guide, leading a person whose life path is characterized by integrity away from destructive pitfalls. This is seen in stable relationships, a clear conscience, and often, tangible well-being. Conversely, wickedness, which is a perversion of God's order, does not merely lead one astray but actively twists and ruins the life of the person who embodies it. The verse underlines the principle that character dictates destiny, illustrating that living in conformity to God's wisdom is not just commendable but profoundly practical for one's well-being and security. This is often an immediate consequence in life, although full manifestation might await ultimate judgment.