Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 11:23 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath. "
Proverbs 11:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
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This verse shows what the righteous and the wicked want, and what each will finally receive. The righteous want good, and only good. They want things to go well for others, and they wish no harm to anyone, only happiness for all. For themselves, they do not chase evil desires. They want God’s favor and a clear conscience, and they will receive that good they long for (Psalm 37:4).
The wicked, however, want trouble. They look for the day of disaster, when God’s judgments will feed their anger and revenge, clear away the people in their path, and give them a chance to gain from others’ distress. But wrath will be their own share in the end. They wish harm on others, but it will come back on them. Since they loved cursing, they will have more than enough of it.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 11:1
"A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight."
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom."
Proverbs 11:3
"The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them."
Proverbs 11:4
"Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 11:5
"The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness."
Proverbs 11:6
"The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires."
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