Proverbs 11:31

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
– Proverbs 11:31

The word for recompensed means repaid and carries the thought of completion. The requital can be reward or judgment depending on the context. The word is used at least twice in Proverbs to speak of a reward to the righteous (Proverbs 13:13, 21). If we think more about the aspect of completion in the recompense, we see it refers to a fitting reward that finishes the works. So, the righteous receive a reward that brings completion to their works and the wicked receive a reward of judgment that finishes their works. The proverb does not present a contrast, but a comparison and the primary point is that just reward is sure to come to all.

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