Amplified Bible
Proverbs 21:3
3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].
Proverbs 21:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
- New International Version (NIV)To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
- English Standard Version (ESV)To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
- New King James Version (NKJV)To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Context of Proverbs 21:3
1The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it whichever way He wishes. 2Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed]. 4Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God]. 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:3 word by word
עֲ֭שֹׂה צְדָקָ֣ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט נִבְחָ֖ר לַיהוָ֣ה מִזָּֽבַח׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:3
- Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight!
- 1 Samuel 15:22Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams.
- Psalms 50:8I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; Your burnt offerings are continually before Me.
- Isaiah 1:11“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of [your] burnt offerings of rams And the fat of well-fed cattle [without your obedience]; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats [offered without repentance].
- Jeremiah 7:21Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat the meat.
- Hosea 6:6For I desire and delight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
- Micah 6:6With what shall I come before the Lord [to honor Him] And bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves?
- Mark 12:33and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3To do justice and judgment - The words of Samuel to Saul. See note on 1 Samuel 15:23.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Compare the marginal reference. The words have a special significance as coming from the king who had built the temple, and had offered sacrifices that could not be numbered for multitude” 1 Kings 8:5.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 Many deceive themselves with a conceit that outward devotions will excuse unrighteousness.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3God wants worship to come from a sincere heart and lead to good actions (see Psalm 40:6–8; Micah 6:6–8).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. (Compare Psa 50:7-15; Is 1:11, 17).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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