Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that "righteousness" isn't just about being fair; it encompasses generosity and benevolence. This means that not only does acting justly keep you from harm, but actively giving to others can literally save lives, both temporally and eternally.
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a collection of proverbs that sharply contrast the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. The immediate context highlights how ill-gotten gains bring no lasting security or benefit, often leading to ruin, while those who live righteously, even if they have little, find true deliverance and life.
We often see people seemingly get ahead through dishonest means. But what's the real value of wealth gained through wickedness?
Solomon makes a stark declaration here: treasures gained by wickedness profit nothing. This isn't just about the legal consequences, but the inherent worthlessness of such gains.
Built on Shifting Sand
Wealth acquired through deceit, oppression, or any unjust practice is fundamentally unstable. It's like building your house on sand – it might look impressive for a while, but it has no solid foundation. The 'treasures' might seem real, but they offer no lasting security or true benefit.
A Source of Danger
Instead of providing comfort, ill-gotten gains often bring danger. They can attract envy and violence from others, or invite divine judgment. The very wealth that was meant to secure one's future can actually hasten their downfall, leading to a premature end, both physically and spiritually.
In a world often rewarding the shrewd and the ruthless, what does it truly mean to be righteous, and how does it save us?
The second half of the verse presents a powerful contrast: 'righteousness delivers from death.' This 'righteousness' isn't just about following rules; it encompasses a life lived in right relationship with God and others.
More Than Just Morality
The Hebrew word for righteousness here carries a broad meaning. It includes acting justly, being merciful, speaking truthfully, and treating everyone with consideration – rendering to each what is due. It’s about a holistic life of integrity.
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Protection and Preservation
This righteousness offers deliverance from death in multiple ways:
Understand the original words
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
Biblical righteousness refers to a state of being right with God, demonstrated through moral integrity, obedience to His law, and acting justly toward others.
Jesus teaches the same truth that earthly treasures, especially those gained through worldly means, are temporary and ultimately worthless, contrasting them with heavenly treasures that last.
Luke 16:9-11Jesus uses the parable of the shrewd manager to illustrate how ill-gotten gains (mammon of unrighteousness) should be used to gain favor, implying that they cannot be trusted for true security compared to eternal values.
Psalm 37:16This Psalm directly contrasts the poverty of the wicked with the abundance of the righteous, echoing Proverbs 10:2 by showing that ill-gotten wealth fades while righteousness has lasting value.
Proverbs 11:4This verse directly parallels Proverbs 10:2, stating that wealth gained through dishonest means offers no security on the day of judgment, whereas righteousness provides a way of escape.
Ecclesiastes 5:10This passage highlights the futility of pursuing wealth, noting that lovers of money can never be satisfied and that riches often lead to ruin rather than security, aligning with the idea that treasures of wickedness ultimately profit nothing.
bensonProverbs 10:2: "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death."
Proverbs 10:2 . Treasures of wickedness — Such as are got by any sort of unjust or wicked practices; or worldly riches in general, termed by our Lord, the mammon of unrighteousness, Luke 16:9 , because they are often used in an unrighteous manner, and made instruments of unrighteousness, and for other reasons there explained; profit nothing — Do the possessor no good at the time here intended, but,…
clarkeProverbs 10:2: "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death."
Treasures of wickedness - Property gained by wicked means. Delivered from death - Treasures gained by robbery often bring their possessors to an untimely death; but those gained by righteous dealing bring with them no such consequences.
What's striking here is that "righteousness" isn't just about being fair; it encompasses generosity and benevolence. This means that not only does acting justly keep you from harm, but actively giving to others can literally save lives, both temporally and eternally.
This verse is part of a collection of proverbs that sharply contrast the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. The immediate context highlights how ill-gotten gains bring no lasting security or benefit, often leading to ruin, while those who live righteously, even if they have little, find true deliverance and life.
This verse is part of a collection of proverbs that sharply contrast the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. The immediate context highlights how ill-gotten gains bring no lasting security or benefit, often leading to ruin, while those who live righteously, even if they have little, find true deliverance and life.
"Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death." — What's striking here is that "righteousness" isn't just about being fair; it encompasses generosity and benevolence. This means that not only does acting justly keep you from harm, but actively givin…
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Last reviewed October 2026