Proverbs 11:18
Proverbs 11:18 in Multiple Translations
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
The wicked worketh a deceitful worke: but hee that soweth righteousnes, shall receiue a sure rewarde.
The wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness — a true reward.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.
If wicked people earn a lot of money, that will deceive them because they will not keep it for very long, but those who do what is right will surely be rewarded by God forever.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 11:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 11:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רָשָׁ֗ע
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
פְעֻלַּת
שָׁ֑קֶר
וְ/זֹרֵ֥עַ
צְ֝דָקָ֗ה
שֶׂ֣כֶר
אֱמֶֽת
רָשָׁ֗ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal
פְעֻלַּת
pᵉʻullâh
H6468
wages
N-fs
שָׁ֑קֶר
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
וְ/זֹרֵ֥עַ
zâraʻ
H2232
to sow
Conj | V-Qal
צְ֝דָקָ֗ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
righteousness
N-fs
שֶׂ֣כֶר
seker
H7938
hire
N-ms
אֱמֶֽת
ʼemeth
H571
truth
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 11:18
רָשָׁ֗ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
פְעֻלַּת
pᵉʻullâh
H6468
"wages"
N-fs
Wages or reward is the meaning of this word, describing the payment or result of someone's work or labour. It is often used to refer to the fruit of one's efforts.
Definition: 1) work, recompense, reward 1a) work 1b) wages
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: labour, reward, wages, work. See also: Leviticus 19:13; Isaiah 40:10; Psalms 17:4.
שָׁ֑קֶר
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
וְ/זֹרֵ֥עַ
zâraʻ
H2232
"to sow"
Conj | V-Qal
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) to sow, scatter seed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sow 1a2) producing, yielding seed 1b)(Niphal) 1b1) to be sown 1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant 1c) (Pual) to be sown 1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 107:37; Psalms 97:11.
צְ֝דָקָ֗ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
"righteousness"
N-fs
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Definition: 1) justice, righteousness 1a) righteousness (in government) 1a1) of judge, ruler, king 1a2) of law 1a3) of Davidic king Messiah 1b) righteousness (of God's attribute) 1c) righteousness (in a case or cause) 1d) righteousness, truthfulness 1e) righteousness (as ethically right) 1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation 1f1) of God 1f2) prosperity (of people) 1g) righteous acts Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Usage: Occurs in 150 OT verses. KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). See also: Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 16:31; Psalms 5:9.
שֶׂ֣כֶר
seker
H7938
"hire"
N-ms
Hire or wages paid for work, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:15. This word refers to the payment received for labor. It is also translated as reward in some contexts.
Definition: hire, wages
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: reward, sluices. See also: Proverbs 11:18; Isaiah 19:10.
אֱמֶֽת
ʼemeth
H571
"truth"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means truth, faithfulness, or stability, and is often used to describe God's character and promises. In Psalm 100:5, it says God's truth endures forever, and in Proverbs 12:17, it emphasizes the importance of truthful speech.
Definition: : faithful 1) firmness, faithfulness, truth 1a) sureness, reliability 1b) stability, continuance 1c) faithfulness, reliableness 1d) truth 1d1) as spoken 1d2) of testimony and judgment 1d3) of divine instruction 1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge 1d5) true doctrine adv 2) in truth, truly
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. See also: Genesis 24:27; Psalms 111:7; Psalms 15:2.
Study Notes — Proverbs 11:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 11:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:18
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
- Sermons on Proverbs 11:18
Context — Dishonest Scales
16A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death. 20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 6:8–9 | 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. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 10:8 | He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
| 3 | Hosea 10:12–13 | 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. You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men, |
| 4 | James 3:18 | Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. |
| 5 | Psalms 126:5–6 | 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. |
| 6 | Proverbs 22:8 | He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. |
| 7 | Proverbs 1:18 | But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. |
| 8 | Isaiah 59:5–8 | They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched. Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace. |
| 9 | Job 27:13–23 | This is the wicked man’s portion from God— the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty. Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food. His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them. Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent. The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman. He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone. Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night. The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power. It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place. |
| 10 | Proverbs 5:22 | The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him. |
Proverbs 11:18 Summary
[Proverbs 11:18 teaches us that doing wrong things may seem to bring us rewards at first, but these rewards are empty and do not last, whereas doing what is right, even when it's hard, brings a true and lasting reward from God, as seen in Jeremiah 17:7-8 where trusting in the Lord is compared to a tree by water that bears fruit. By choosing to live righteously, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from following God's ways, and we can trust that He will bring a true reward in His time, as promised in Isaiah 40:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'earn an empty wage' in Proverbs 11:18?
To earn an empty wage means to receive a reward that has no lasting value or true satisfaction, as seen in the contrast with the true reward of sowing righteousness, which is a theme also found in Galatians 6:8-9.
How does sowing righteousness lead to a true reward?
Sowing righteousness, as mentioned in Proverbs 11:18, leads to a true reward because it is in line with God's will and character, as seen in Psalm 37:3-4, where trusting in the Lord and doing good leads to delighting in Him and receiving the desires of one's heart.
What is the difference between the wage of the wicked and the reward of the righteous?
The wage of the wicked is empty and lacking in true value, whereas the reward of the righteous is true and satisfying, reflecting the principle found in Matthew 6:19-20, where treasure stored in heaven is contrasted with treasure on earth that can be lost or corrupted.
How can we apply the principle of sowing righteousness in our daily lives?
We can apply the principle of sowing righteousness by living according to God's commands and principles, such as loving our neighbors as ourselves, as found in Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12:31, and trusting that God will bring a true reward in due time, as seen in Proverbs 28:19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can sow righteousness in my daily life, and how can I trust God for the reward that comes from it?
- How do I distinguish between an empty wage and a true reward, and what are the long-term consequences of each?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be seeking an empty wage, and how can I shift my focus to sowing righteousness instead?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide a true reward, even when the outcome is not immediately apparent, and what scriptures can I rely on for encouragement?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:18
The wicked worketh a deceitful work,.... Such a wicked man as before described; that neither enjoys the good things of life he has, nor suffers others to enjoy them; and all to accumulate riches,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:18
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness (shall be) a sure reward.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
A deceitful work; a work which will deceive his expectation of that good for which he worketh. That soweth; that worketh it with constancy, and diligence, and hope of recompence, as they do who sow in seed-time. Righteousness; good works, acts of piety towards God, and charity to men.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.Ver. 18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work.] By defrauding his genius, and afflicting his flesh, he thinks he doth a very good work. Some emperors have left their thrones, and thrust [themselves] into a monastery, there to macerate themselves with much fasting and coarse clothing, out of an opinion of promoting their soul’ s health thereby. But "bodily exercise profiteth little." And as the pride of virginity is as foul a sin as impurity, so is it in this case. The formal faster loseth his labour. In seventy years they kept seven score fasts in Babylon; yet among them all not one fast to God. There are that render it thus, Improbus comparat praemium falsum. The wicked get a false reward: all that he hath is but the things of this life, quae nec vera sunt, nec vestra. For the very fashion of this world passeth away and "surely every man walketh in a vain show," or shadow, "surely he disquieteth himself in vain he heapeth up riches, and knows not who shall gather them." They that dig in mines, or labour in mints, have gold enough about them, but are little the better for it. A sumpter horse bears much treasure on his back all day, but is eased of it at night, and turned into the stable with his back full of galls and bruises.
So shall it be with wicked rich men at death; so that they have no great bargain of it. But to him that soweth righteousness.] And so soweth upon blessings - as the apostle’ s Greek hath it; Galatians 6:7-8 - upon well watered places To such shall be a sure reward: only he must have patience, and not look to sow and reap all in one day. Augustine. οσπειρωνεπευλογιας. In locis irriguis.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
(18) Worketh a deceitful work—i.e., which ends in nothing, deceiving his hopes. (Comp. Proverbs 11:7.) But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.—Rather, he that soweth righteousness (worketh) a sure reward for himself. (For “righteousness,” see above on Proverbs 10:2.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
Verse 18. Worketh a deceitful work] An unstable work; nothing is durable that he does, except his crimes.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:18
18. deceitful wages] Lit. wages of falsehood, i.e. transitory and disappointing, in contrast to a sure reward of the second clause, lit. a reward of truth, i.e. real and lasting. shall be] he that soweth … hath R.V. But there is no need to supply anything. The word worketh [earneth R.V.), governs both clauses.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:18
Deceitful work - Work which deceives and disappoints the worker; in contrast with the “sure reward” of the second clause.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:18
18. A deceitful work — The wicked man makes fallacious work, and gains “a deceptive result.” — Zockler. ôòìú, (pe’hullath,) means labour, or the wages of labour. To him that soweth righteousness — Is upright in all his dealings.
Sermons on Proverbs 11:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Proverbs 10-11 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrast between the diligent and the lazy. He emphasizes that the lazy person will end up poor, while the diligent person will become ri |
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The Devil's Boomerangs by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately addresses the consequences of sin and the inevitability of judgment, urging young people to recognize that their actions have repercussions. He emphasizes |
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Giving Birth to a Monster by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe delivers a powerful sermon based on Psalms 7:10-17, emphasizing the consequences of sin and the importance of maintaining integrity in the face of persecution. The p |
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The Seeds We Are Scattering by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the profound impact of the seeds we scatter in the lives of others, particularly through the nurturing influence of a mother and the collective contributions |
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Sowing and Reaping by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth preaches on the universal principle of sowing and reaping, emphasizing that just as in the physical world, there is a direct correlation between what one sows and w |
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The Days of Our Flesh by Steve Hill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not wasting time and being motivated to make a difference in the world. He encourages the audience to seek a pastor who wil |
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Paul's Allegory of the Covenants by Peter Masters | This sermon delves into the allegory of the two covenants as explained by the Apostle Paul in Galatians. It contrasts the covenant of works, which relies on human effort and leads |