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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness <i>shall be</i> a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The wicked <i>man</i> does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness <i>will have</i> a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked person earns deceptive wages, But one who sows righteousness <i>gets</i> a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness <i>gets</i> a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness <i>gets</i> a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness <i>and</i> lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked person earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The wicked earneth deceitful wages: but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A wicked person earns dishonest wages, but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Wicked people do not really gain anything, but if you do what is right, you are certain to be rewarded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Evil people earn deceptive wages, but those who plant righteousness are truly rewarded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The wicked person earns deceitful wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked is getting a lying wage, "" And whoever is sowing righteousness—a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness -- a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The unjust one did a work of falsehood: and the seed of justice the reward of truth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The wicked make empty profits, but those who sow justice have a sure reward. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man does a deceitful work; but he who sows righteousness has a true reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The wicked does works of depravity, and truth is the reward of him who sows righteousness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/11-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2031" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/11.htm">Dishonest Scales</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">The wicked man</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śeh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">earns</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: šā·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">an empty</a> <a href="/hebrew/6468.htm" title="6468: p̄ə·‘ul·laṯ- (N-fsc) -- A work, recompense. Feminine passive participle of pa'al; work.">wage,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2232.htm" title="2232: wə·zō·rê·a‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To sow, scatter seed. A primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify.">but he who sows</a> <a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: ṣə·ḏā·qāh (N-fs) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">righteousness</a> <a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ’ĕ·meṯ (N-fs) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">reaps a true</a> <a href="/hebrew/7938.htm" title="7938: śe·ḵer (N-msc) -- Hire, wages. From sakar; wages.">reward.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a></span><br />Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-18.htm">James 3:18</a></span><br />Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Romans 6:21-23</a></span><br />What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death. / But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. / For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-6.htm">2 Corinthians 9:6</a></span><br />Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16-20</a></span><br />By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/4-8.htm">Job 4:8</a></span><br />As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a></span><br />Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">Isaiah 3:10-11</a></span><br />Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a></span><br />I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a></span><br />Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Luke 6:43-45</a></span><br />No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-8.htm">1 Corinthians 3:8</a></span><br />He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">2 Peter 2:13</a></span><br />The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-37.htm">Psalm 37:37-38</a></span><br />Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. / But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.</p><p class="hdg">wicked</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-18.htm">Proverbs 1:18</a></b></br> And they lay wait for their <i>own</i> blood; they lurk privily for their <i>own</i> lives.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Proverbs 5:22</a></b></br> His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-13.htm">Job 27:13-23</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, <i>which</i> they shall receive of the Almighty… </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Proverbs 22:8</a></b></br> He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5,6</a></b></br> They that sow in tears shall reap in joy… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12,13</a></b></br> Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for <i>it is</i> time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm">Deceptive</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Earn</a> <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Earneth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-15.htm">Earns</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-35.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-15.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Reaps</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-8.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-19.htm">Soweth</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-14.htm">Sowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-19.htm">Sows</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-15.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">True.</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Wage</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Wages</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-11.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Work</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Worketh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/12-5.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-5.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-3.htm">Deceptive</a> <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Earn</a> <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Earneth</a> <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Earns</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-32.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-6.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-27.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Reaps</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-21.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Soweth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Sowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Sows</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-17.htm">True.</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Wage</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm">Wages</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Work</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-16.htm">Worketh</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">On Deception</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical context, "wicked" refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. The "empty wage" suggests that any gain achieved through unrighteous means is ultimately worthless and unsatisfying. This concept is echoed in <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10</a>, where it is stated that wealth does not bring satisfaction. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures often equated material success with divine favor, but the Bible consistently teaches that true prosperity is spiritual and eternal, not merely material.<p><b>but he who sows righteousness</b><br>"Sowing righteousness" is an agricultural metaphor common in biblical literature, symbolizing the act of living according to God's commandments and principles. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, sowing was a critical activity that required patience and faith, as the results were not immediate. This phrase suggests that living righteously involves deliberate and consistent actions that align with God's will. The imagery of sowing is also found in <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a>, where the people are encouraged to sow righteousness to reap the fruit of unfailing love.<p><b>reaps a true reward</b><br>The "true reward" contrasts with the "empty wage" of the wicked. This reward is genuine and lasting, reflecting the biblical principle that God honors those who live righteously. In the New Testament, <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-9</a> reinforces this idea, stating that a person reaps what they sow, and those who sow to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. The concept of a true reward also points to the eternal perspective of the Bible, where the ultimate reward is not found in earthly wealth or success, but in spiritual fulfillment and eternal life with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked_man.htm">The Wicked Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who engage in unrighteous or immoral behavior, seeking gain through deceitful or unjust means.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous_sower.htm">The Righteous Sower</a></b><br>Symbolizes those who live according to God's principles, sowing seeds of righteousness through their actions and decisions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_concept_of_reward.htm">The Concept of Reward</a></b><br>The verse contrasts the temporary and ultimately unsatisfying gains of the wicked with the lasting and fulfilling rewards of the righteous.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/agricultural_imagery.htm">Agricultural Imagery</a></b><br>The use of sowing and reaping reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where farming was a common livelihood and a metaphor for spiritual truths.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_divine_justice.htm">The Principle of Divine Justice</a></b><br>This event or concept underscores the biblical theme that God ultimately rewards righteousness and punishes wickedness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_wicked_gains.htm">The Futility of Wicked Gains</a></b><br>The gains of the wicked are ultimately empty and unsatisfying, lacking eternal value.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_lasting_reward_of_righteousness.htm">The Lasting Reward of Righteousness</a></b><br>True rewards come from living a life of righteousness, aligning with God's will and principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_intentional_living.htm">The Importance of Intentional Living</a></b><br>Just as a farmer intentionally sows seeds, believers must intentionally sow righteousness in their daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>Believers can trust that God sees their righteous actions and will reward them in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_reflect_christ's_character.htm">The Call to Reflect Christ's Character</a></b><br>Sowing righteousness involves reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions and decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_unethical_people_thrive.htm">Proverbs 11:18 suggests the wicked earn deceptive wages—why do some unethical individuals thrive, seemingly contradicting this verse? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_profanity_biblical.htm">What consequences do the wicked face according to scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_their_reward.htm">What is their reward?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_black_pill_mean.htm">What is their reward?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Worketh a deceitful work--</span>i.e., which ends in nothing, deceiving his hopes. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/11-7.htm" title="When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes.">Proverbs 11:7</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">he that soweth righteousness </span>(worketh) <span class= "ital">a sure reward for himself. </span>(For "righteousness," see above on <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm" title="Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.">Proverbs 10:2</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A deceitful work;</span> work that brings no reward or profit, belying hope, like "fundus mendax" of Horace, 'Od.,' 3:1, 30. The Septuagint has, "unrighteous works," which seems a jejune rendering, and does not bring out the contrast of the <span class="cmt_word">sure reward</span> in the second member (comp. <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Proverbs 10:2, 16</a>). <span class="cmt_word">To him that soweth righteousness</span> (<a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a>; <a href="/galatians/6-8.htm">Galatians 6:8, 9</a>). To "sow righteousness" is to act righteously, to live in such a way that the result is holiness. The "reward," in a Jew's eyes, would be a long life in which to enjoy the fruits of his good conduct. We Christians have a better hope, which is, perhaps, adumbrated by this analogy: as the seed sown in the field does not produce its fruit till the time of harvest, so righteousness meets with its full recompense only in the great harvest at the end of all things. The Revised Version renders, <span class="accented">The wicked earnnth deceitful wages</span>: <span class="accented">but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.</span> This makes a good antithesis. The Septuagint renders the last clause, "but the seed of the righteous is a true reward (<span class="greek">μισθὸς</span> <span class="greek">ἀληθείας</span>)." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/11-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The wicked man</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָׁ֗ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">earns</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹשֶׂ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an empty</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֑קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(šā·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wage,</span><br /><span class="heb">פְעֻלַּת־</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·‘ul·laṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6468.htm">Strong's 6468: </a> </span><span class="str2">A work, recompense</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he who sows</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזֹרֵ֥עַ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zō·rê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2232.htm">Strong's 2232: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify</span><br /><br /><span class="word">righteousness</span><br /><span class="heb">צְ֝דָקָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḏā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rightness, subjectively, objectively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[reaps] a true</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱמֶֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·meṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reward.</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׂ֣כֶר</span> <span class="translit">(śe·ḵer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7938.htm">Strong's 7938: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hire, wages</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/11-18.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages but one (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 11:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 11:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 11:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 11:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>