Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 21:21
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
- New International Version (NIV)Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Context of Proverbs 21:21
19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them. The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:21 word by word
רֹ֭דֵף צְדָקָ֣ה וָחָ֑סֶד יִמְצָ֥א חַ֝יִּ֗ים צְדָקָ֥ה וְכָבֽוֹד׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:21
- Proverbs 15:9The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
- Isaiah 51:1Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
- Hosea 6:3Let’s strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
- Matthew 5:6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
- Romans 14:19So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
- Philippians 3:12Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21but test all things. Hold on to what is good.
- 1 Timothy 6:11But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
- 2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
- Hebrews 12:14Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:4Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life.
- Romans 2:7eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality;
- 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The man who keeps “righteousness” will assuredly find it, but he will find besides it the “life” and the “honor” which he was not seeking. Compare 1 Kings 3:13; Matthew 6:33.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 True repentance and faith will lead him that relies on the mercy of God in Christ, to follow after righteousness and mercy in his own conduct.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Righteousness and unfailing love are traits linked to Israel's agreement with God (see Exodus 34:5–7; Deuteronomy 7:9–11). The agreement promised life and honor to those who followed God's law (Deuteronomy 28:1–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. He who tries to act justly and kindly (Psa 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:21
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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