Proverbs 11:19
New International Version
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

New Living Translation
Godly people find life; evil people find death.

English Standard Version
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

Berean Standard Bible
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

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

New King James Version
As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

New American Standard Bible
One who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But one who pursues evil attains his own death.

NASB 1995
He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

NASB 1977
He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

Amplified Bible
He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, But he who pursues evil attains his own death.

Christian Standard Bible
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil leads to death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil leads to death.

American Standard Version
He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

Contemporary English Version
Always do the right thing, and you will live; keep on doing wrong, and you will die.

English Revised Version
He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life: and he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As righteousness leads to life, so whoever pursues evil finds his own death.

Good News Translation
Anyone who is determined to do right will live, but anyone who insists on doing wrong will die.

International Standard Version
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but whoever pursues evil will die.

Majority Standard Bible
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

NET Bible
True righteousness leads to life, but the one who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

New Heart English Bible
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.

Webster's Bible Translation
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

World English Bible
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Correctly [is] righteousness for life, "" And whoever is pursuing evil—for his own death.

Young's Literal Translation
Rightly is righteousness for life, And whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.

Smith's Literal Translation
So justice to life, and he pursuing evil, to his death.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.

New American Bible
Justice leads toward life, but pursuit of evil, toward death.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but whoever pursues evil will die.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A son who is reared in righteousness lives long; but he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A son of righteousness has life and he who does evil has death.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life; But he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Dishonest Scales
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
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 6:8
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.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

Romans 8:6
The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,

1 John 5:12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

James 1:15
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.

Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,

Psalm 37:37-38
Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. / But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Jeremiah 21:8
Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.

Romans 2:7-8
To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

1 Peter 3:10-12
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. / He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. / For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”


Treasury of Scripture

As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

righteousness

Proverbs 10:16
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 12:28
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

he

Proverbs 1:16-19
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood…

Proverbs 7:22,23
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; …

Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

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Attain Attains Death Die Evil Gets Gives Goes Life Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Righteous Righteousness Rightly Steadfast Stedfast Tendeth
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Attain Attains Death Die Evil Gets Gives Goes Life Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Righteous Righteousness Rightly Steadfast Stedfast Tendeth
Proverbs 11
1. On Deception














Genuine righteousness
The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah), which conveys a sense of justice, rightness, and moral integrity. In the ancient Hebrew context, righteousness was not merely about personal piety but involved living in a way that was just and fair to others, reflecting God's character. "Genuine" emphasizes authenticity, suggesting that true righteousness is not superficial or hypocritical but deeply rooted in one's heart and actions. This righteousness aligns with God's will and leads to a life that is fulfilling and blessed.

leads to life
The phrase "leads to life" indicates a path or direction. In Hebrew, "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) often refers to more than just physical existence; it encompasses a quality of life that includes peace, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. The righteous path is one that aligns with God's design and results in a life that is abundant and eternal. This reflects the biblical principle that obedience to God's commandments brings blessings and life, both in the present and in the hereafter.

but the pursuit of evil
The word "pursuit" suggests an active, intentional effort. In Hebrew, "evil" (רָע, ra) encompasses anything that is morally wrong, harmful, or contrary to God's nature. The pursuit of evil implies a deliberate choice to follow a path that is against God's commandments. This pursuit is not passive but involves a conscious decision to engage in actions that are destructive and sinful. The contrast with "genuine righteousness" highlights the moral choice each person faces.

brings death
"Death" (מָוֶת, mavet) in Hebrew can refer to physical death, but it also signifies spiritual death or separation from God. The consequence of pursuing evil is not just the end of physical life but a spiritual demise that affects one's relationship with God. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin leads to death, as seen in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death." The verse serves as a warning that the choices we make have profound implications for our spiritual destiny.

(19) As righteousness tendeth to life.--Rather, genuine righteousness tendeth to life.

Verse 19. - This verse is not to be connected with the preceding, as in the margin of the Revised Version, "so righteousness," etc., each couplet in these chapters being independent, the connection, such as it is, being maintained by the use of catchwords, such as "righteous," "wicked," "upright," etc. As righteousness tendeth to life. The various uses of the first word כֵן (ken) have led to different renderings. The Authorized Version takes it for "as;" the Revised Version as an adjective: He that is steadfast in righteousness. It is, perhaps, better, with Nowack, to regard it as an adverb: "He who is honestly, strictly, of righteousness, is to life." The meaning is plain: real, genuine righteousness hath the promise of this life and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). The LXX., reading בֵן (ben), translate, "A righteous son is born for life." He that pursueth evil (Proverbs 13:21); Septuagint, "the persecution of the impious," i.e. that which an impious man inflicts. But the Authorized Version is correct, and the clause means that he who practises evil brings ruin eventually on himself - a warning trite, but unheeded (comp. Proverbs 1:18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Genuine
כֵּן־ (kên-)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

righteousness
צְדָקָ֥ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

leads to life,
לְחַיִּ֑ים (lə·ḥay·yîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

but the pursuit
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף (ū·mə·rad·dêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

of evil
רָעָ֣ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

brings death.
לְמוֹתֽוֹ׃ (lə·mō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:19 He who is truly righteous gets life (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 11:18
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