God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 21:3
3Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the Lord than offering a 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.
- 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 streams of water. Both are under the Lord’s control. He turns them in any direction he chooses. 2A person thinks everything he does is right, but the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the Lord than offering a sacrifice. 4A conceited look and an arrogant attitude, which are the lamps of wicked people, are sins. 5The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity, but everyone who is ⌞always⌟ in a hurry ends up in 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 15:8A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayers of decent people please him.
- 1 Samuel 15:22Then Samuel said, “Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.
- Psalms 50:8I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me.
- Isaiah 1:11The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
- Jeremiah 7:21“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the meat.
- Hosea 6:6I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings.
- Micah 6:6What should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? Should I bring him year-old calves as burnt offerings?
- Mark 12:33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries