Amsal 11:3-5

11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, ¹ 

but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them. ² 

11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, ³ 

but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. ⁴ 

11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way, ⁵ 

but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness. ⁶ 

Amsal 13:6

13:6 Righteousness ⁷  guards the one who lives with integrity, ⁸ 

but wickedness ⁹  overthrows the sinner.

Amsal 14:32

14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble, ¹⁰ 

but the righteous have refuge ¹¹  even in the threat of death. ¹² 

[11:3]  ¹ sn This contrasts two lifestyles, affirming the value of integrity. The upright live with integrity – blamelessness – and that integrity leads them in success and happiness. Those who use treachery will be destroyed by it.

[11:3]  ² tc The form is a Kethib/Qere reading. The Qere יְשָׁדֵּם (yÿshadem) is an imperfect tense with the pronominal suffix. The Kethib וְשַׁדָּם (vÿshadam) is a perfect tense with a vav prefixed and a pronominal suffix. The Qere is supported by the versions.

[11:4]  ³ sn The “day of wrath” refers to divine punishment in this life (R. N. Whybray, Proverbs [CBC], 67; e.g., also Job 21:30; Ezek 7:19; Zeph 1:18). Righteousness and not wealth is more valuable in anticipating judgment.

[11:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “from death.”

[11:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “his way.”

[11:5]  ⁶ sn The righteous will enjoy security and serenity throughout life. Righteousness makes the path straight; wickedness destroys the wicked.

[13:6]  ⁷ sn Righteousness refers to that which conforms to law and order. One who behaves with integrity will be safe from consequences of sin.

[13:6]  ⁸ tn Heb “blameless of way.” The term דָּרֶךְ (darekh) is a genitive of specification: “blameless in respect to his way.” This means living above reproach in their course of life. Cf. NASB “whose way is blameless”; NAB “who walks honestly.”

[13:6]  ⁹ sn Righteousness and wickedness are personified in this proverb to make the point of security and insecurity for the two courses of life.

[14:32]  ¹⁰ tn The prepositional phrase must be “in his time of trouble” (i.e., when catastrophe comes). Cf. CEV “In times of trouble the wicked are destroyed.” A wicked person has nothing to fall back on in such times.

[14:32]  ¹¹ sn The righteous have hope in a just retribution – they have a place of safety even in death.

[14:32]  ¹² tc The LXX reads this as “in his integrity,” as if it were בְּתוּמּוֹ (bÿtumo) instead of “in his death” (בְּמוֹתוֹ, bÿmoto). The LXX is followed by some English versions (e.g., NAB “in his honesty,” NRSV “in their integrity,” and TEV “by their integrity”).

[14:32]  tn Heb “in his death.” The term “death” may function as a metonymy of effect for a life-threatening situation.