The Proverbs on Righteousness and Wickedness

One of the best ways to study the Proverbs is to arrange them by subject.  Below is a sample of the Proverbs to present a contrast between righteousness and wickedness.  After reading these, answer for yourself: Which way will you choose?  The correct answer is obvious, but you must make the choice.

Stacey E. Durham

Proverbs 10

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (v. 6)

The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. (v. 7)

The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment. (v. 16)

The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes. (v. 28)

Proverbs 11

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. (v. 5)

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. (v. 6)

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes. (v. 7)

The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place. (v. 8)

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. (v. 9)

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. (v. 10)

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. (v. 18)

He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. (v. 19)

The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. (v. 20)

The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. (v. 23)

Proverbs 12

A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, but He will condemn a man who devises evil. (v. 2)

A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved. (v. 3)

The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. (v. 5)

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. (v. 6)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. (v. 7)

A man will be praised according to his insight, but one of perverse mind will be despised. (v. 8)

The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. (v. 12)

No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. (v. 21)

In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. (v. 28)

Proverbs 13

The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out. (v. 9)

Adversity pursues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. (v. 21)

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need. (v. 28)

Proverbs 14

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. (v. 11)

The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. (v. 19)

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (v. 34)

Proverbs 15

Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked. (v. 6)

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves one who pursues righteousness. (v. 9)

Proverbs 20:7 – A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him.

Proverbs 21:18 - The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

Proverbs 24:15-16 – Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place; for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

Proverbs 28

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. (v. 12)

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase. (v. 28)

Proverbs 29

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan. (v. 2)

When the wicked increase, transgression increases; but the righteous will see their fall. (v. 16)

An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked. (v. 27)