Proverbs 11:18 Meaning and Explanation
“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked's labor is built on deception; the righteous sower of righteousness receives a guaranteed harvest.
The Context of Proverbs 11:18
The different outcomes of deceitful work and righteous sowing.
What Does Proverbs 11:18 Mean?
The wicked person's work is deceitful—not honest labor but schemes and fraud. While the wicked may gain temporarily through deception, the foundation is hollow. Their work yields no lasting fruit because it is built on lies.
Righteousness, by contrast, is like sowing seed. The righteous person who sows righteousness—plants honest work, fair dealing, and integrity—receives a 'sure reward.' Like a harvest that follows sowing, the results are reliable and substantial.
Proverbs 11:18 in the Original Language
yiqra (יִקְרָא), 'sure/stable' — literally 'called' or 'appointed,' suggesting a promised result.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 11:18
What does Proverbs 11:18 mean?
The wicked's labor is built on deception; the righteous sower of righteousness receives a guaranteed harvest.
What is the context of Proverbs 11:18?
The different outcomes of deceitful work and righteous sowing.