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Proverbs 11:11
ESV By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
NIV Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
NASB By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down.
CSB A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.
NLT Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
KJV By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

What does Proverbs 11:11 mean?

This continues the thoughts expressed in the previous verse (Proverbs 11:10). A city enjoys a good reputation because of the character and conduct of its righteous citizens. The upright pray for their city. Genesis 18 shows Abraham praying for Sodom after the Lord said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake" (Genesis 18:26). Jeremiah 29:7 records Jeremiah's instructions to the Jews in Babylon. He commands: "Seek the welfare of the city where I [God] have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Similarly, the apostle Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 to pray for our government officials so that "we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." He indicates, "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Timothy 2:3).

Whereas the righteous exalt a city, the wicked residents destroy a city by berating its officials (Proverbs 11:9), spreading lies and rumors, and dealing in crime and crooked business (Proverbs 11:1).
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