Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 11:3

ESV The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
NIV The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
NASB The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them.
CSB The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.
NLT Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
KJV The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
NKJV The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

What does Proverbs 11:3 mean?

According to this verse, moral people lead lives conducted with honor, honesty, and reliability. The Hebrew root word for "integrity" is tummah, also translated "blameless" in other passages. This indicates moral wholeness or not having any moral blemish. This does not mean a person is perfectly free from all sin, of all kinds. It does mean someone whose life gives others no room for criticism. This reliance on living with integrity keeps the morally upright person on the right path. This helps them avoids much of the trouble which sin brings. Moral wholeness, such as that which comes from honoring God, leads to green pastures and protects from hazardous bypaths (Psalm 23:1–4).

However, the dishonest person is ruined by their own deceitfulness. In English, the term "crooked" implies someone who lies or twists for their own profit, especially with respect to money. Judas Iscariot is an example of a deceitful person who destroyed himself. He feigned love for Jesus by kissing Him (Matthew 26:48–49), but this was a lie. His real purpose was to identify Jesus to soldiers, who then arrested Him and led Him away to be tried and crucified. Suffering from second thoughts, but not a godly repentance, Judas threw the money he'd been given down at the feet of the religious leaders who hired him. Then Judas ran away to hang himself (Matthew 27:3–5).

Proverbs 13:15 tells us "the way of the treacherous is their ruin."
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