Bible Strands
Proverbs 11:19
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs presents this as a direct wisdom instruction from a teacher to a learner, contrasting two opposing life trajectories.
The words — צְדָקָ֥ה (tze.da.Kah) translates literally to "righteousness," while מְרַדֵּ֖ף (me.ra.Def) means "one who pursues."
The thread — This contrast between righteous conduct and life appears in Proverbs 10:16 and Proverbs 12:28, while Proverbs 19:23 similarly connects reverence for God to life and protection from harm.
Why it lands — The text demands a deliberate choice between cultivating righteous living and chasing harmful actions, since each path deterministically produces its own end.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 10:16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.
- Proverbs 12:28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
- Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
- Romans 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
- Proverbs 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
- Proverbs 7:22 He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
- Proverbs 8:36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
- Acts 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.