Proverbs 11:5
New International Version
The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

NASB 1995
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

NASB 1977
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

Legacy Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will make his way straight, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

Amplified Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

Christian Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

American Standard Version
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Contemporary English Version
If you are truly good, you will do right; if you are wicked, you will be destroyed by your own sin.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.

Good News Translation
Honesty makes a good person's life easier, but the wicked will cause their own downfall.

International Standard Version
The righteousness of the innocent creates a level path, but the wicked fall by their wickedness.

Majority Standard Bible
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

NET Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way, but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness.

New Heart English Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Webster's Bible Translation
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

World English Bible
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The righteousness of the perfect makes his way right, "" And by his wickedness the wicked fall.

Young's Literal Translation
The righteousness of the perfect maketh right his way, And by his wickedness doth the wicked fall.

Smith's Literal Translation
The justice of the blameless shall make straight his way, and in his injustice the unjust shall fall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.

New American Bible
The justice of the honest makes their way straight, but by their wickedness the wicked fall.

New Revised Standard Version
The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The righteousness of the upright shall direct his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The righteousness of the perfect straightens his way and the evil one has fallen in his evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Dishonest Scales
4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. 5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.…

Cross References
Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. / Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.

Isaiah 26:7
The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.

Psalm 1:6
For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:9
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

Proverbs 15:19
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Proverbs 21:29
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”

Psalm 112:4-5
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright—for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous. / It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.


Treasury of Scripture

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

direct

Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Proverbs 1:31,32
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices…

Proverbs 5:22
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

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Blameless Cause Direct Evil-Doer Fall Falleth Falls Good Keeps Makes Maketh Perfect Plain Right Righteousness Sin Sincere Smooth Straight Way Wicked Wickedness
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Blameless Cause Direct Evil-Doer Fall Falleth Falls Good Keeps Makes Maketh Perfect Plain Right Righteousness Sin Sincere Smooth Straight Way Wicked Wickedness
Proverbs 11
1. On Deception














The righteousness of the blameless
The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah), which conveys a sense of justice, rightness, and moral integrity. In the context of Proverbs, righteousness is not merely about following rules but living in a way that aligns with God's will and character. The "blameless" are those who live with integrity and sincerity, without deceit or moral compromise. This phrase emphasizes that a life lived in accordance with God's standards naturally leads to a clear and directed path. Historically, the concept of righteousness was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's laws was seen as a path to blessing and prosperity.

directs their path
The Hebrew verb "יָשַׁר" (yashar) means to make straight or level. In ancient times, a straight path was crucial for safe and efficient travel, symbolizing a life journey that is free from unnecessary obstacles and dangers. This phrase suggests that living righteously provides guidance and clarity, allowing one to navigate life's complexities with divine wisdom. Scripturally, this aligns with the broader biblical theme that God guides those who seek Him, as seen in passages like Psalm 23, where the Lord leads His people beside still waters and along righteous paths.

but the wicked fall
The term "wicked" comes from the Hebrew "רָשָׁע" (rasha), referring to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. The imagery of falling suggests a sudden and inevitable downfall, a common theme in wisdom literature where the consequences of one's actions are often immediate and severe. This serves as a warning that a life lived in opposition to God's ways is inherently unstable and destined for failure. Historically, the fall of the wicked is a recurring motif in the Bible, illustrating the ultimate justice of God.

by their own wickedness
The Hebrew word for "wickedness" is "רִשְׁעָה" (rish'ah), which denotes evil deeds, injustice, and moral corruption. This phrase highlights the self-destructive nature of sin; it is not merely external forces that lead to the downfall of the wicked, but their own actions and choices. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where individuals face the consequences of their behavior. In a broader scriptural context, this serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and turning away from sin to avoid its destructive outcomes.

(5) Shall direct his way.--Or, make smooth, as Proverbs 3:6. The just man by his exact performance of all duty both towards God and man receives more and more light, and therefore continually sees more clearly how to avoid the difficulties that beset his path. The wicked darkens his conscience more and more by the commission of evil, till he stumbles as in the night (John 11:9), and at last falls, and rises not again.

Verse 5. - The perfect; the upright and honest. Vulgate, "simple;" Septuagint, "blameless." Shall direct - make straight or smooth - his way (Proverbs 3:6). The good man, not blinded by passion, follows a safe and direct path of life; but the wicked, led by his own evil propensious, and losing the light of conscience (John 11:10), stumbles and fails. Septuagint, "Righteousness cutteth straight (ὀρθοτομεῖ) blameless paths, but ungodliness walketh in iniquity." Ὀρθοτομέω occurs in Proverbs 3:6, and nowhere else in the Septuagiut. St. Paul adopts the word in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The righteousness
צִדְקַ֣ת (ṣiḏ·qaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

of the blameless
תָּ֭מִים (tā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

directs
תְּיַשֵּׁ֣ר (tə·yaš·šêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous

their path,
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

but the wicked
רָשָֽׁע׃ (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

fall
יִפֹּ֥ל (yip·pōl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

by their own wickedness.
וּ֝בְרִשְׁעָת֗וֹ (ū·ḇə·riš·‘ā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7564: Wickedness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct (Prov. Pro Pr)
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