English Standard Version
Proverbs 21:3
3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
Context of Proverbs 21:3
1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only 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 an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
- 1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
- Psalms 50:8Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.
- Isaiah 1:11"What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.
- Jeremiah 7:21Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh.
- Hosea 6:6For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Micah 6:6"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
- Mark 12:33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries