Riches or Righteousness
Prov.11:1-11
Before standardized weights and measures, and a government department to enforce them, merchants were responsible for accurate scales and weights. You bought and sold most of your commodities and foodstuffs by weight. This was no small matter, as the integrity and prosperity of the nation’s economy depended on trustworthy transactions.
Business integrity is part of godliness. God counts economic cheating or compromise to be an abomination. This word means a combination of disgust and hatred; abhorrence, detestation, loathing. In the Bible it also describes God’s attitude toward child sacrifice (Deut 12:31; 18:10-12), sodomy (Lev 18:22; 20:13), and similar perverse sins.
If you want to get ahead, then be careful in all your transactions, even making sure your motives are just and pure (Pr 11:3; 19:1; Pr 20:7,14), and looking out with special care for widows, orphans, and the poor (Pr 23:10-11; 22:9). It is far better to be generous and liberal than to be cheap and stingy (Pr 11:24-27; Eccl 11:1-6; Is 32:8).
The omniscient God, seeing and knowing all things, takes very close interest in the ounces and pounds, liters and pints, dollars and cents, of your daily life. Let every greedy and stingy thief beware! He does not watch from a distance
You will never get ahead cheating. And only blind fools would think it for even a second. It is far better to pay and perform beyond expectations, than to cut corners or shortchange anyone. Generosity is far superior to frugality. It is a very small mind, motivated by a dead soul, which thinks cheating is how to get ahead (Pr 11:24-26; 28:8). A large mind, directed by a loving and generous heart, is God’s delight. He will bless the righteous.
Godly men are perfectly honest. They never take advantage of others. They go beyond bare duty; they pay more than their share; they keep every term of a contract; they tip generously; they pay debts on time; they despise small thefts; they never lay out sick, when they are well; they disclose all problems with things they sell; they do not barter down a price, then call it a great deal; they communicate promptly and openly.
The Lord avenges any defrauding (I Thes 4:6; I Cor 6:8). He measures every relationship and transaction with His holy and divine scales of perfect righteousness. Have you been found wanting? Your prayers will stop at the ceiling (Pr 15:29; Ps 66:18); He will blow against you (Pr 13:15; Ps 34:16); you will never get ahead (Pr 13:11; 20:21; Jer 17:11).
The Lord delights in honest men (Pr 12:22; Ps 11:7; Luke 6:37-38). What a glorious blessing to have the Most High delighting in you for your daily integrity! Watch every trade! Owe no man anything! Be void of offence before God and men! Let the pure honesty and generosity of the Lord Jesus Christ be seen in your every action.
God is fair and right, and He expects you to be fair and right. He is perfect He hates cheating or compromise in your dealings; He loves honesty and integrity. He will ruin you professionally, if you cheat; but He will bless you, if you are just and fair. Solomon taught this lesson to his son more than once (Pr 16:11; 20:10,23).
Proverbs 11:2
The proud hypocrite deceives himself into ignoring realities in the conduct of his life that the meek and humble person quickly recognizes and takes into account. The proud person's vanity pushes him into conduct that will end in shame. The humble person's attitude stands in vivid contrast, for his wisdom prevents him from pursuing the same conduct. This produces even more wisdom when good fruit is produced because it reinforces his right decision.
This pride seen in Proverbs 11:2 literally means "boiling up," or we might say, "puffed up." It can mean "to overstep the boundaries." The proud person has an inflated opinion of himself and/or his possessions, abilities, powers, and accomplishments. This exists because pride has deceived him about his importance. He is the center of the world! The day is coming soon when everyone's proud ego will be deflated, and man's haughty self-regard will be stripped away.
This is exactly what happened to Satan. He got so full of himself that his pride tricked him into believing he could defeat His Creator in battle and take His place! He ignored the reality that he was the creation of God and that God is superior to His creation in every way. His pride deceived him into underestimating the awesome power of God that he had seen demonstrated in the creation! It made him disregard the limited nature of his own power in comparison, making him think he was stronger than was true. It made him think he could be God!
This attitude is also at the foundation of Laodiceanism. Of what does God accuse the Laodiceans? This is the accusation : "You say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'" (Revelation 3:17). Their pride deceives them into believing they are self-sufficient. They have it all! They do not need anything!
We should consider that the Laodicean probably does not say any such thing with his tongue. In fact, he can probably "talk the talk" quite well and hypocritically put on a good show of righteousness. But God looks on the heart, seeing not only his public conduct but also his motivations and private conduct. The Laodicean is of the class that professes to know God but denies Him in works. God's judgment—is that he is "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."
There is a safe way to live – obey the bible . And there is a dangerous way to live – do what feels good and sounds good. By committing to only obey the bible at all times, you will have clear direction for every situation But they are not easy choices. . But living your life by your own feelings and choices will often lead you to confusion and difficulty, and it will certainly destroy you.
Not what is integrity? It is the glorious character trait of always doing what is right, regardless of difficulties or consequences. It is the upright who have integrity. What is perverseness? It is turning away from what is right to act contrary to law or nature. It is transgressors, or sinners, who are perverse, for they choose to reject moral restrictions.
The upright always do what is right – they have integrity. Their confusion in life is minimal, for they have chosen to follow what is right in every choice and dilemma. They have a constant guide. Transgressors do whatever they want – they are perverse. They have no standards or parameters for their actions, and their perversity will destroy them.
What is right? Whatever the Bible says is right! Anything to the contrary is perverse and wrong. The Bible should be exalted on every subject, and all other opinions should be hated (Ps 119:128). Such a rule defines Bible Christianity. It does not matter what a religious leader thinks, what is socially acceptable, what is traditional, or what will win you a promotion.
The wicked, perverse in their rejection of God’s word, are confused about the simplest matters and end up in destruction. The rule of wisdom is to live by integrity – always obeying the bible – which gives a constant guide.
The blessed Lord Jesus Christ always did those things that pleased His Father. He had perfect integrity and prudence in obeying the word of God and living a perfect life. For those who believe on Him, He is the Source and Means of everlasting righteousness.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4
If you asked most people if they would rather have riches or righteousness - most likely most would answer that they would like riches. That is due to two facts. First it is due to the fact that mankind is lost and ignorant of their true position before God. Second, it is due to the fact that the rich man in the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man - has not yet had his message broadcast to the world as he would have wanted.
Proverbs tells us that riches do not profit us in the day of wrath. If riches are all that we have - we are seriously in trouble. Note that we read here of the day of wrath. This refers to the day that God releases His wrath on those who have rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. That will be a sobering day indeed for the rich. They have stored up their wealth when they should have used it for the glory of God and the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. On that day, their riches will mean nothing. Honored on earth among men - riches are despised in heaven - unless they have been used for the glory of God.
Two men would love to testify to this fact. The first is the rich man who did nothing to alleviate the pain and suffering of a poor beggar named Lazarus. Lazarus lay at the rich man's gate, his only ministers were dogs that licked his sores. He longed to be fed with the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. He received nothing from him. Both died and the rich man was cast into hell and Lazarus was taken into Abraham's bosom. - The rich man - suffering miserably - asked that someone be sent to tell his brothers of this place. He knew that riches would not deliver him from hell - only righteousness would do. The second man who would love to testify would be the rich farmer who thought he had it made because he had a bumper crop. Faced with filled barns already, he wondered what to do with his bountiful harvest. He decided to build bigger barns, fill them and then say to himself that he was set for life. He trusted riches, not righteousness. He lost. The Lord called this man a fool and told him that he would die that night - and what would he do for his own soul.
Riches will not profit us in that day when we face the judgment of God. Only righteousness will do. Actually, only a certain kind of righteousness will do too. That is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. That alone will stand in that awful day. Nothing else will matter except that we've repented and turned in faith to Jesus Christ. What He did on the cross will pay for our sins - what He did will allow us to be credited with a perfect righteousness that will cause us to be accepted before God. Only what He did - only His righteousness will matter. It will save us from death.
In light of this truth - what are you trusting in on the day of God's wrath? You may think it is not coming - that God is too nice to judge anyone. The fact of Scripture is to the contrary. God will judge - He will call us to an accounting - and He will accept only one thing on that day to make us acceptable in His sight. Only the blood of Jesus to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Only the blood will help us to escape the wrath of God. . Now let me ask the question . . . On the day of God's wrath what do you want to have - riches or righteousness?
In Psalm 90, as Moses meditates on life’s shortness, he asks God, “Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you (Psalm 90:11)?” Death is the debt owed to God’s justice, not to nature. Since God made man in His image, to be loved and to love , death is not “a part of life,” as materialists prattle, attempting to quiet their own fears. Because of sin, death unnaturally ends life, so that since sin entered the world, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).”
When one stands before God’s appointed judge (Acts 17:31), riches will not help. In this life, riches command respect, buy the best lawyers, and may even bribe the judge. But in the day of wrath, riches will not sway the Judge, nor remove the sting of God’s wrath. The only help in the day of wrath is righteousness. If God is for us, then who will be against us (Romans 8:31)? The second death will not hurt us, so the judgment presaged by the first death will not alarm the righteous, whose goodness will deliver them from death.
Here the proverb ends, but since “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)” and “there is none that does good, no, not one (Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:1),” the proverb provokes a deep and serious question. How can anyone be righteous before God and survive His judgment?
If animal sacrifice is the answer, then Jews, Christians, and everyone else are in great danger. Jewish animal sacrifices ended when Rome destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D., and wherever news about Jesus Christ has gone, animal sacrifices for believers and non-believers alike have ceased. Nevertheless, the Bible assures us often that God mercifully forgives sin, or how could anyone stand before Him (Psalm 130)? Only by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The news about Christ, proclaimed by the Church since the Day of Pentecost, announces the victory of the Son of David over sin and death. As the Hebrew Scriptures prophesied, Jesus voluntarily died on a cross, the Lamb of God given for the sins of His People. After three days, He rose to life again, appearing to many chosen witnesses. His sacrifice on the cross bought us forgiveness for all who have repented and believe in Him. and also hey are imputed with righteousness, not ours, but Christ’s imputed righteousness was imparted as a free gift by faith alone. This righteousness delivers from death on the day of wrath, when riches will be of no use.
Verse 5: “The righteousness of the perfect (the blameless) shall direct his way : but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.”
The “perfect”—those who are morally upright—better translated “blameless,” will live by the standards of integrity and honesty. A “blameless” person is one who is above reproach. It does not mean that he must be sinless, but his life must be lived so nobly that there won’t be any loopholes for others to latch onto and criticize. There are some irresponsible people who will accuse. We might be unjustly blamed for wrong, but there must be nothing in our lives that could truthfully be used to bring shame to the cause of Christ.
The “wicked” (those who have no respect for God and holy things) will fall beneath the load of their sins.
Verse 6: The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
One of the great principles of wisdom is the certain and sure consequences for both righteousness and wickedness. Solomon repeated this rule many times to get the attention of his son and citizens. In this chapter alone, compare this proverb to others very similar in their wording and their lesson -Pr11:3,4,5,7,8,10,12,19,20,21,23,27,28,31.
The repetition is not wasted. Check your heart, dear reader. Is there a tendency to think Solomon’s proverbs like this one are boring? Would you rather read and consider one about love, business, relationships, or wealth? Be careful. The density and distribution of these proverbs are also by divine wisdom. The repetitions of the rule above are necessary.
Love, business, relationships, and wealth will take care of themselves, if you live a wise life of righteousness. Your heart is cold toward righteousness due to sin that is in your body. And the devil himself suggests anything he can to distract you from learning and growing in righteousness. Furthermore, the world only suggests and sells naughtiness; it never promotes righteousness. Three foes conspire to destroy you. Solomon was not redundant.
An upright person does what is right, as defined by God, all the time, and with zeal. This is righteousness. They are delivered or saved from the pain and trouble of sin, both in this world and in the next. A transgressor is a person who breaks God’s laws, and he wallows and eventually drowns in the misery of his choice, in this world and the next.
Consider this world. The upright man learns and applies the righteous laws of God to his life. God and men favor him, and he is delivered from the delusions and dysfunction of others (Pr 3:1-4; Josh 1:7-9; Ps 1:1-6; Luke 2:52). But the transgressor, deceived by his evil ways , falls into all sorts of trouble, for God, men, and natural laws are set together to crush him with its consequences (Pr 1:31; 8:36; 13:15).
Consider the next world. The upright man, with fruits of righteousness proving his regeneration and salvation, gains entrance to heaven by God’s free grace in Jesus Christ (I Thess 1:2-4; II Pet 1:5-11). But the transgressor, wishing he had never been born, faces the dread sovereign Judge of the universe to be punished during an eternity in the lake of fire (Eccl 12:13-14; Rev 20:11-15; 21:8).
Learn to connect the dots in your life, where the dots are the choices and events of your life. If you rebel against Bible wisdom and foolishly follow the world, you will suffer painful and punishing results. If you fear God and live by the Bible, you will be protected and blessed by the Lord.
Joseph made many wise choices regarding his father, brothers, Potiphar, Potiphar's wife and Pharaoh. There likely were some times that he wondered if his righteous living was worth it when he was sold into slavery by his brothers, and when he was thrown into prison because of Potiphar's wife.. But if you connect the dots, where did they end for Joseph? He was made ruler of Egypt and able to save and provide for his whole family.
Samson was a young man like Joseph, but he would not listen to his parents and marry a girl from Israel. He wanted a Philistine girl instead. He had several providential victories in his life by his great strength. He may have thought God was turning a blind eye to his sexual sins. But if you connect the dots, where did they end for Samson? He was betrayed by his last Philistine lover, had his eyes put out, and then committed suicide.
You are placing dots on the map of your life today. If you reject God’s wisdom and the instruction of authorities in your life, your future will be painful and full of trouble. But if you are upright and live righteously today, there is an expected end for you that will be your righteous living and the blessings of God.
When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.. Proverbs 11:7 NKJV
The true test of a man and his choices is how he dies. More accurately it is what happens to him after he dies. That is what this proverb addresses today.
When a wicked man dies - everything dies with him. He has no expectations beyond this world. During his life he lived for the things of this world - and now that he is dead - he has to face the fact that he lost everything at the moment he died. You leave it all behind. The wicked man's expectation was centered in this world. He bet his entire life that this was all that there is - that there is no afterlife. He figured that all he did will speak for him on that day.
All that he can look forward to from that moment on is the wrath of God. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Abraham spoke to the rich man who was in torment in flame after death. He reminded him that he received his good things in this life. He rejected God - rejected serving God - and rejected living for God rather than for his own selfish agenda. He thought that God did not exist - that heaven was just a state of mind - that judgment day was just a device used by Christian preaches to get people to walk down the aisle at church. He was radically wrong! God is real - and He is holy and just. The strong man and the complete weakling are identical before the throne of God. The strong man does not want to humble himself before the Lord. But no matter what he does - his hope and his expectation perish before the Lord.
Verse 8: The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead
Let the wicked suffer instead of you! God will save you from trouble and punish the wicked instead, if you live righteously. He makes a difference among men by protecting those who live godly lives and judging the wicked in their place.
There is a reward for a righteous man (Ps 58:11). God delivers him from trouble. When a righteous man is saved out of a calamity, God redirects the judgment and trouble against wicked men (Pr 24:15-16). The Lord loves the righteous, and He sacrifices the wicked for him (Pr 21:18).
What is the lesson? God blesses and favors those who obey Him, and He judges and punishes those who do not. If you are on the Lord’s side, He will bless you, but He will despise and destroy His enemies. This is the God of the Bible, though most do not know Him. The crucial point is that you are convicted to live a godly life for Him.
The Lord has not promised the righteous will not have troubles, but He has promised to deliver them from those troubles (Job 5:17-27; Ps 34:4-7,17-19; 50:14-15; 66:12; 91:14-16). You can see Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, Daniel, Paul, and others delivered out of trouble (Gen 39:1-3; 48:15-16; II Sam 22:1; Job 42:10-17; Dan 1:17-21; II Tim 4:17).
Pharaoh and Egypt thought they could abuse the Israelites living in their nation. He tried to kill their children; he overworked them without compensation; he mocked Moses and Moses’ God. What happened? God moved Israel to Canaan, ravaged the nation by a variety of plagues, killed Pharaoh’s son and the firstborn in every Egyptian family, confiscated the nation’s wealth for Israel’s back pay, and drowned the army in the Red Sea.
Haman plotted in hatred to hang Mordecai on gallows he had built for the purpose, but God delivered Mordecai, and Haman was hung in his place (Esther 7:9-10). Instead of Mordecai twitching with a snapped neck, it was Haman. Understanding Christians have rejoiced with smiles at this reversal of fortune for centuries. But that was not all; before he got to hang, Haman had to lead Mordecai through the streets for special honor.
Wicked Medes in the government of Darius conspired and had Daniel thrown in a den of lions for his faith in God and daily prayers. But they and their families ended up being ravaged and eaten by the same lions that the previous night had no interest in Daniel (Dan 6:24). This is redirected violence perfectly suitable for families of the wicked.
Nebuchadnezzar’s best soldiers were burned alive by the very flames they had prepared for Daniel’s three friends (Dan 3:22). They overheated their furnace for capital crimes, and it burned them to death while not even singeing the hair of the three. The Hebrew youth had purposed they would not participate in false religion, and God delivered them for it.
Sixteen Roman soldiers died instead of Peter by the Lord’s glorious deliverance of him from prison (Acts 12:18-19). The angel of God woke Peter during the night and saved him from his planned execution the next day, but the foolish soldiers loyal to Rome died in his place. The proverb before you is very true. Are you one of the righteous?
The righteous are so precious in God’s affections that He will gladly sacrifice the wicked for them (Is 43:3-4). Israel was sure they were doomed when trapped against the Red Sea by Pharaoh’s armies (Ex 14:10-12), but the LORD delivered them gloriously through it and drowned Pharaoh’s army in it (Ex 14:21-31). Consider the celebratory song and dance of Israel in light of the fulfillment of this proverb (Ex 15:1-21).
There is a reward for the righteous. There is no need to fret because of the prosperity or the persecutions of the wicked. They do not see their day coming, but the righteous do. The Lord laughs about what He will do to the wicked (Ps 2:1-12; 37:12-13), and the righteous should laugh with Him (Ps 52:1-7; 58:6-11). Are you one of the righteous?
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. - Proverbs 11:9
When words fly like daggers through the air you can be assured that you are dealing with a godless man. The godless man is the one who destroys his neighbor with his mouth. The term godless here refers to a man who is impious, filthy, and godless. The root of this word speaks of how he turns away and wants nothing to do with God. As a result we see in Scripture where one who is like this is morally unclean (Job 13:16) and whose character lacks any of the positive aspects of godliness. Consider the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This man has none of these qualities. We also read in Scripture that because of this he often clashes and is in conflict with the righteous.
We read here that the righteous will be delivered through knowledge. I believe this deliverance is two-fold.
First, we will be delivered from the godless who want to destroy us with their words. Several times in the New Testament we are urged to let our behavior be such that when the wicked seek to destroy us with accusations and lies - our actions and lifestyle will be such that it will answer their lies. The way we live consistently will be a rebuke to them. We will not have to answer or come back with our own attacks, because those around us will laugh them to scorn. They know us - and they will reject such attacks. That deliverance comes through "knowledge." Knowledge means not just a head-knowledge, but one that results in discernment, insight, and wisdom. We get such knowledge from God's Word - and from a life spent seeking Him and walking with Him.
The second way I believe we will be delivered is that we will not be led into "the fight." When someone tries to destroy you with their mouth - the natural thing to experience is a strong desire to launch a counter attack. They throw stones - we throw knives. They shoot bullets - we drop bombs. You can imagine where this all leads. The righteous is delivered in part by "killing your opponent with kindness." Verse? You do not respond in kind - you respond in kindness! This changes everything. They may continue to attack, and often will(sometimes kindness drives a person who is seeking to destroy you crazy with anger). But as those around us watch the proceedings - they see clearly the one who is acting godly - and the one who is spinning out of control. In the end, we are delivered from our greatest foe - and that is not the one attacking us. We are delivered from ourselves. Something deep within wants to rise up and take control - and by the way - that is our flesh. Instead, we need to have Christ in us respond. He will grant us power to respond with kindness and love - with mercy and forgiveness. Know this - respond like this and two things will happen. First, you will be delivered from your own worst aspects of your flesh. Second, you will win in the end. Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter - and as a sheep before His shearers is silent - so He did not open His mouth. That response, dear saints, won in the end. It did at the cross - and it will for everyone who embraces Him responding like that in their lives through His Spirit now.
Verse 10: When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
King Solomon’s political observations and wisdom reveal that cities and nations prefer policies that benefit godly men more than those that benefit wicked men. Exceptions to this general rule do not matter. Support for godly leaders and policies will cause joy, and when wicked leaders, policies, or men die, there is also good reason for celebration.
There are two ways to improve the spirit of a political entity or an organization. Either favor the cause of righteousness by helping and protecting good men, or punish the way of wickedness by exposing and destroying evil men. Any person in authority must remember both rules to enact and enforce policies that help the righteous and hurt the wicked.
Should good people celebrate the destruction of the wicked? Should they rejoice at the promotion of the righteous? Yes, and yes! The difference between righteous and wicked men is enormous, and even citizens with little nobility or religion can appreciate the difference. But God’s people know the difference even better and celebrate accordingly.
A nation’s citizens appreciate a benevolent, faithful, and wise ruler; they mourn a foolish, oppressing, and selfish ruler (Pr 29:2). Egypt rejoiced to have Joseph, and Babylon to have Daniel. Shushan, the capital of Persia, mourned when wicked Haman was promoted, but they rejoiced when Mordecai replaced him (Es 4:15; 8:15). Israel celebrated their great blessings to have David and Solomon as kings (II Sam 6:14-19; I Kgs 4:20-25).
When King Asa initiated a revival in Judah, many left their homes in Israel and moved to be under such a good king (II Chr 15:8-19). It was the same under good King Hezekiah (II Chr 30:21-27). Therefore, wise citizens will pray for their leaders, for in the prosperity of good rulers they will obtain their own blessing (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-2).
Vengeance is the Lord’s; He will repay (Rom 12:19). Both destruction and promotion come from the Lord (Ps 75:6-7; Is 13:6). Those who fear the God of heaven know there are no accidents, coincidences, or acts of nature. They know He uses whirlwinds, hurricanes and tornadoes, and He uses waves, tsunamis and hurricane surges (Nah 1:3).
When calamities and disasters strike the enemies of God, the people of God rejoice. Israel danced at the Red Sea, when the bodies of Pharaoh and his army washed up on shore (Ex 14:30-31; 15:1-21). The psalmist wrote about the happy event of seeing Babylon’s children dashed against rocks (Ps 137:8-9). And the apostles and prophets of God also rejoice over the destruction of spiritual Babylon (Rev 18:6,20).
Godly men make a difference between personal enemies and God’s enemies. You have no right to rejoice when a personal enemy is in trouble (Pr 24:17-18; Job 31:29-30; Ps 35:11-14). Instead, you should pray for him and do what you can for him (Matt 5:43-48; Rom 12:17-21). You can only justify hating God’s enemies (Ps 52:6-7; 139:22-23).
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Proverbs 11:11
The upright and the wicked have a way of affecting the cities in which they live. The upright are said to exalt a city by the way they speak. They bless the city. The word for bless means to bestow favor upon something or speak well of it. What is interesting about this word is that its root form has the idea of kneeling and blessing. What I see here is that the upright may doesn't just speak blessings over his city - he primarily blesses it when he falls to his knees and prays for it. The blessing here is when a city has many praying, godly men within it.
The wicked though, have no such blessing. They only tear a city down with their actions and words. It is telling what this passage calls these people. They are called, "the wicked" The term refers to the wicked - and one of the ways they are described is as the "criminally wicked." These men not only do not bless the city - they are taking from it - and promoting a criminal and lawless lifestyle. No wonder that the city is torn down by their actions. Their actions promote people disobeying the law and living a selfish and self-centered lifestyle.
