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Proverbs 13:6

Proverbs 13:6 in Multiple Translations

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.

Goodness protects those who live right, but sin overcomes the wicked.

Righteousnesse preserueth the vpright of life: but wickednes ouerthroweth the sinner.

Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.

Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

The behavior [PRS] of those who always do what is right will protect them, but sinful behavior will ruin wicked people.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 13:6

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 13:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB צְ֭דָקָה תִּצֹּ֣ר תָּם דָּ֑רֶךְ וְ֝/רִשְׁעָ֗ה תְּסַלֵּ֥ף חַטָּֽאת
צְ֭דָקָה tsᵉdâqâh H6666 righteousness N-fs
תִּצֹּ֣ר nâtsar H5341 to watch V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
תָּם tôm H8537 integrity N-ms
דָּ֑רֶךְ derek H1870 way N-cs
וְ֝/רִשְׁעָ֗ה rishʻâh H7564 wickedness Conj | N-fs
תְּסַלֵּ֥ף çâlaph H5557 to pervert V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
חַטָּֽאת chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 sin N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 13:6

צְ֭דָקָה 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.
תִּצֹּ֣ר nâtsar H5341 "to watch" V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to watch or guard something, like the Israelites watching over the Passover in Exodus 12:42 or God watching over his people in Psalm 121:4.
Definition: 1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to watch, guard, keep 1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers 1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity 1a4) to guard, keep secret 1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded 1a6) watchman (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man). See also: Exodus 34:7; Proverbs 2:8; Psalms 12:8.
תָּם tôm H8537 "integrity" N-ms
This word means being complete or having integrity, and is used to describe someone who is innocent and morally pure. In the Bible, it describes people who are full of integrity and live with simplicity. It is often translated as 'integrity' or 'upright'.
Definition: 1) integrity, completeness 1a) completeness, fulness 1b) innocence, simplicity 1c) integrity
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: full, integrity, perfect(-ion), simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See H8550 (תֻּמִּים). See also: Genesis 20:5; Psalms 26:11; Psalms 7:9.
דָּ֑רֶךְ derek H1870 "way" N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
וְ֝/רִשְׁעָ֗ה rishʻâh H7564 "wickedness" Conj | N-fs
Similar to H7562, this word also means wickedness, but with a focus on guilt or wrong actions in various relationships. It is often translated as fault or wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) wickedness, guilt 1a) wickedness (in civil relations) 1b) wickedness (of enemies) 1c) wickedness (ethical and religious)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: fault, wickedly(-ness). See also: Deuteronomy 9:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Proverbs 11:5.
תְּסַלֵּ֥ף çâlaph H5557 "to pervert" V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
To pervert means to twist or subvert something, often referring to bribery or corruption. It can also mean to overthrow or ruin, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to twist, pervert, distort, overturn, ruin 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to pervert (of bribery) 1a2) to subvert, turn upside down, ruin
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: overthrow, pervert. See also: Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 13:6; Proverbs 19:3.
חַטָּֽאת chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 "sin" N-fs
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Definition: sin, sinful thing
Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.

Study Notes — Proverbs 13:6

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
2 Proverbs 11:5–6 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
3 Psalms 140:11 May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
4 Psalms 25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You.
5 Psalms 15:2 He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart,
6 Proverbs 21:12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
7 Psalms 26:1 Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
8 Proverbs 5:22 The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.
9 2 Chronicles 28:23 Since Damascus had defeated him, he sacrificed to their gods and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel.

Proverbs 13:6 Summary

[This verse means that when we live a life of integrity and do what is right, God's righteousness will protect and guard us, as seen in Proverbs 2:7-8. On the other hand, when we choose to do wrong and live a life of wickedness, it will ultimately lead to our downfall, as warned in Proverbs 10:29. By choosing to live righteously, we can trust in God's protection and preservation, as stated in Psalm 37:3-7. This is a promise that we can rely on, and it should give us confidence and hope for our lives, as seen in Romans 8:28.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a man of integrity in Proverbs 13:6?

A man of integrity is one who lives a life of moral uprightness and honesty, as seen in Psalm 15:1-5, and is guarded by righteousness, which means he is protected and preserved by his own righteous living, as stated in Proverbs 13:6.

How does wickedness undermine the sinner in this verse?

Wickedness undermines the sinner by ultimately leading to their downfall and destruction, as seen in Proverbs 21:7, because it erodes their character and leads them away from God's wisdom and protection.

Is righteousness something we can achieve on our own, or is it a gift from God?

While we are called to live righteously, as seen in Proverbs 13:6, true righteousness is a gift from God, as stated in Romans 3:21-24, and is made possible through our faith in Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:30.

How can I apply the principle of Proverbs 13:6 to my everyday life?

You can apply this principle by seeking to live a life of integrity and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 119:1-8, and trusting in God's protection and preservation, as stated in Proverbs 2:7-8, and by avoiding the destructive path of wickedness, as warned in Proverbs 10:29.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I need to strive for greater integrity and righteousness, and how can I rely on God's power to help me achieve this?
  2. How have I seen wickedness undermine the lives of those around me, and what can I learn from their experiences to avoid a similar path?
  3. In what ways can I trust in God's righteousness to guard and protect me, even in the midst of challenging circumstances, as seen in Psalm 23:4?
  4. What are some practical steps I can take to cultivate a deeper commitment to living righteously, and how can I hold myself accountable to this standard, as seen in Proverbs 27:17?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 13:6

Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in the way,.... Men of uprightness and integrity, whose hearts are sincere in the ways of God; the principle of grace and righteousness in them keeps them

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 13:6

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. Righteousness keepeth (him that is) upright in the way - of life and of safety. He needs no other defenses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 13:6

Keepeth him; either from sin, or from that overthrow which befalls sinners, in the next clause. The sinner, Heb. the man of sin, who giveth up himself to wicked courses.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 13:6

Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.Ver. 6. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright.] That, though belied or otherwise abused, he will not let go his integrity. David’ s "feet stood on an even place." The spouse, though despoiled of her veil, and wounded by the watch, yet cleaves close to Christ. Not but that the best are sometimes disquieted in such cases; for not the evenest weights but, at their first putting into the balance, somewhat sway both parts thereof, not without some show of inequality, which yet after some little motion, settle themselves in a meet poise and posture. But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.] Heb., The sin; as if the man were transformed into sin’ s image. "What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria?" Tubulus quidam paulo supra Ciceronem Praetor fuit: homo tam proiecte improbus ut eius nomen non hominis sed vitii esse videretur, saith Lipsius. The Pope is called "the man of sin," to note him merum scelus, saith Beza, - made up merely of sin. Lips. Antiq. lect.

Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 13:6

(6) Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way.—See above on Proverbs 11:5.

Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 13:6

6. keepeth] Rather, guardeth, as in Proverbs 13:3 above. him that is upright in the way] “Heb. uprightness of way,” R.V. marg. the sinner] “Heb. sin,” R.V. marg.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 13:6

6. Upright in the way — ϊνγψκְ. (tam darek,) perfect of way, a periphrasis for a man of integrity, an upright, perfect man; his righteousness guards him — is his protection.

Sermons on Proverbs 13:6

SermonDescription
Keith Daniel Prove Me Now - Part 6 by Keith Daniel This sermon emphasizes the importance of integrity, restitution, and the love of money in relation to one's soul and relationship with God. It tells a powerful story of a man who m
Keith Daniel Prove Me Now - Part 5 by Keith Daniel This sermon emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithfulness in the smallest details of life, highlighting the true essence of being a Christian who acts out of love for Jes
Steve Gallagher Pure Life Ministries - 2015 Annual Conference "He Who Endures to the End Shall Be saved." by Steve Gallagher This sermon addresses the themes of deception, corruption, and the consequences of dishonesty. It emphasizes the erosion of integrity, the impact of corporate scandals on the globa
Carter Conlon The Promise of Light in the Time of Darkness by Carter Conlon This sermon emphasizes the importance of obeying God and having the courage to follow His instructions. It highlights the need for integrity and faithfulness in the midst of encroa
Shane Idleman How to Make Right Choices by Shane Idleman This sermon emphasizes the importance of making right choices as Christians, highlighting the internal conflict between wanting to please God and the flesh's desires. It discusses
D.S. Warner The Opposition Paper by D.S. Warner In this sermon by D.S. Warner, he addresses the division caused by conflicting holiness papers in the city, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the sacred cause of holiness and t
Frederick W. Robertson True Integrity by Frederick W. Robertson Frederick W. Robertson emphasizes the importance of integrity, defining it as entireness, wholeness, and soundness of character. He highlights that integrity is tested in small mat

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