24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal [1] soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Other Translations of Proverbs 11:24-26

New International Version

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God's blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

English Standard Version

24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

The Message

24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

26 Curses on those who drive a hard bargain! Blessings on all who play fair and square!

New King James Version

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

New Living Translation

24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 11:24-26

Commentary on Proverbs 11:24

(Read Proverbs 11:24)

A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing.

Commentary on Proverbs 11:25

(Read Proverbs 11:25)

Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.

Commentary on Proverbs 11:26

(Read Proverbs 11:26)

We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.