Proverbs 11 · Verse 18

Proverbs 11:18

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18, King James Version

Proverbs 11:18 in other translations

BSBThe wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
WEBWicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
ASVThe wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
YLTThe wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness--a true reward.
DARBYThe wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
BBEThe sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness.
WebsterThe wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

What does Proverbs 11:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. a deceitful work--or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away (Pr 10:2; 23:5). sure reward--or, "gain," as from trading (Ho 10:12; Ga 6:8, 9).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Worketh a deceitful work - An unstable work; nothing is durable that he does, except his crimes.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 11:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

רָשָׁ֗עra.Sha'a wicked [person]H7563
עֹשֶׂ֥ה'o.Seh[is] makingH6213
פְעֻלַּת\־fe.'u.lat-wage[s] ofH6468
שָׁ֑קֶרSha.kerfalsehoodH8267
וְזֹרֵ֥עַve.zo.Re.a'and [one who] sowsH2232
צְ֝דָקָ֗הtze.da.KahrighteousnessH6666
שֶׂ֣כֶרSe.kherwage[s] ofH7938
אֱמֶֽת\׃'e.MettruthH571

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 11:18

  • Galatians 6:8-9

    For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:8

    He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

  • Hosea 10:12-13

    Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

  • James 3:18

    And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • Psalms 126:5-6

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

  • Proverbs 22:8

    He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

  • Proverbs 1:18

    And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

  • Proverbs 5:22

    His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

  • Job 27:13-23

    This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; …

  • Isaiah 59:5-8

    They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

  • Ephesians 4:22

    That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
wicked.
1:18; 5:22; Job 27:13-23; Ec 10:8; Isa 59:5-8; Eph 4:22
but.
22:8; Ps 126:5,6; Ho 10:12,13; Ga 6:8,9; Jas 3:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 11:17

    The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

  • Proverbs 11:18

    The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

  • Proverbs 11:19

    As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Read all of Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
El impío hace obra falsa: mas el que sembrare justicia, tendrá galardón firme.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Le méchant fait une œuvre trompeuse, mais celui qui sème la justice a un vrai salaire.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Der Gesetzlose schafft sich trüglichen Gewinn, wer aber Gerechtigkeit sät, wahrhaftigen Lohn.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Impius facit opus instabile, seminanti autem justitiam merces fidelis.