11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, 1
but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. 2
11:28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous 3 will flourish like a green leaf. 4
1 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.
2 tn Heb “from death.”
3 sn The implication from the parallelism is that the righteous do not trust in their own riches, but in the
4 tn Heb “leafage” or “leaf” (cf. KJV “as a branch”); TEV “leaves of summer”; NLT “leaves in spring.” The simile of a leaf is a figure of prosperity and fertility throughout the ancient Near East.