Bible Strands
Proverbs 11:6
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs delivers wisdom instruction to a student or community, using parallel contrasts to evaluate moral conduct. This verse sits between two statements that contrast the deliverance of the blameless with the downfall of the wicked.
The words — צִדְקַ֣ת (tzid.Kat) means righteousness, and יִלָּכֵֽדוּ (yi.la.Khe.du) means they are caught. The text states that the moral integrity of the upright functions as a rescue, while the cravings of the faithless function as a snare.
The thread — This pattern of self-caused entrapment runs through Ecclesiastes 10:8, where the digger of a pit falls into it, and 1 Kings 2:44, where past evil actions trigger direct judgment. The same principle of moral reciprocity appears in 1 Samuel 12:3, where a leader's blameless record is offered as proof against hidden wrongdoing.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear-eyed assessment of personal motives, recognizing that unchecked desires operate as a self-constructed trap. It requires the reader to align conduct with upright standards to avoid inevitable self-inflicted consequences.
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 righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- 1 Kings 2:44 The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.
- Psalms 7:15 He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.
- Proverbs 5:22 The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.
- 1 Kings 2:32 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.
- Genesis 30:33 So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.”
- Genesis 31:37 You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.