Bible Strands
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses a general audience within a wisdom collection that systematically contrasts moral choices and their inevitable outcomes.
The words — The Hebrew תֻּמַּ֣ת (tu.Mat) translates literally as integrity, and סֶ֖לֶף (Se.lef) means crookedness or perversity.
The thread — The structural contrast between guiding integrity and destructive perversity appears in Proverbs 28:18 and Proverbs 13:6, while Psalm 25:21 similarly petitions for preservation through uprightness without describing ruin.
Why it lands — The text states that upright conduct provides direction while treacherous behavior causes self-destruction. A reader must apply this by aligning daily conduct with integrity rather than relying on external protection.
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
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 28:18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
- Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
- Psalms 25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You.
- Psalms 26:1 Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
- Proverbs 19:3 A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
- John 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.
- Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
- Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
- Isaiah 1:28 But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
- Proverbs 21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.