Proverbs 11:23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to read this as a simple statement of good outcomes for good people and bad for bad. But notice the specific wording: the desire of the righteous leads to good, while the expectation of the wicked leads to wrath. This highlights that what we deeply hope for and anticipate shapes our ultimate end, not just our actions.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the paths and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. It flows from discussions about honesty in business and the consequences of greed, highlighting the opposing motivations and ultimate destinies of those who follow God's ways versus those who don't. The verse directly precedes a section that emphasizes the futility of ill-gotten gains, reinforcing the idea that the wicked's pursuits will ultimately lead to divine judgment.
What does it mean for a righteous person's desire to be 'only good'? It's not just about wishing well for others, but something deeper.
The verse highlights that the desires of the righteous are aligned with goodness itself. This means their deepest longings are for what is just, honest, and in line with God's character.
The wicked don't just have bad desires; their entire outlook, their 'expectation,' is set on a collision course with divine anger.
For the wicked, their 'expectation' isn't just a passive hope, but an active anticipation shaped by their ungodly desires. This leads them to expect, and ultimately receive, God's wrath.
Understand the original words
ta'awah · Hebrew Noun
The deepest longing or inner ambition of a person; in a biblical context, it often refers to the core orientation of one's heart toward God or toward evil.
ebrah · Hebrew Noun
Divine judgment or the righteous anger of God poured out against unrepentant sin and rebellion.
This passage directly contrasts the 'mind set on the flesh,' which leads to death, with the 'mind set on the Spirit,' which leads to life and peace, mirroring the good outcomes for the righteous and the wrathful outcomes for the wicked described in Proverbs.
James 4:3James explains that even when people ask God for things, they don't receive them because their motives are wrong – they 'want to spend it on your pleasures.' This echoes the idea in Proverbs that the wicked's desires are self-serving and ultimately lead to judgment, not good.
Matthew 7:13-14Jesus describes two ways: the wide gate and broad road leading to destruction, and the narrow gate and difficult way leading to life. This highlights the diverging paths and ultimate outcomes for those who align with God (righteous) versus those who don't (wicked).
Psalm 1:4-6This Psalm beautifully contrasts the fate of the wicked, who are like chaff blown away by the wind, with the righteous, who flourish. It underscores the idea that the righteous find favor and lasting well-being, while the wicked face divine judgment.
ellicottProverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
(23) The desire of the righteous is only good, and therefore it, being in accordance with the will of God, is granted to them. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.—Rather, presumption; they do not ask in the way or for the things which God wills they should (James 4:3), and therefore it is mere presumption on their part to expect the fulfilment of their desires.
pulpitProverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
Verse 23. - (Comp. Proverbs 10:28.) The desire of the righteous is only good. They want only what is just and honest, and therefore they obtain their wiches. The expectation of the wicked - that on which they set their hope and heart - is wrath (Proverbs 11:4), is an object of God's wrath. Other commentators, ancient and modern, take the clause to imply that the wishes of evil men, animated b…
It's easy to read this as a simple statement of good outcomes for good people and bad for bad. But notice the specific wording: the desire of the righteous leads to good, while the expectation of the wicked leads to wrath. This highlights that what we deeply hope for and anticipate shapes our ultimate end, not just our actions.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the paths and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. It flows from discussions about honesty in business and the consequences of greed, highlighting the opposing motivations and ultimate destinies of those who follow God's ways versus those who don't. The verse directly precedes a section that emphasizes the futility of ill-gotten gains, reinforcing the idea that the wicked's pursuits will ultimately lead to divine judgment.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 11:23 is available in the Sola app.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the paths and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. It flows from discussions about honesty in business and the consequences of greed, highlighting the opposing motivations and ultimate destinies of those who follow God's ways versus those who don't. The verse directly precedes a section that emphasizes the futility of ill-gotten gains, reinforcing the idea that the wicked's pursuits will ultimately lead to divine judgment.
"The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath." — It's easy to read this as a simple statement of good outcomes for good people and bad for bad. But notice the specific wording: the desire of the righteous leads to good, while the expectation…
