New International Version
Proverbs 11:21
21Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
Proverbs 11:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.
Context of Proverbs 11:21
19Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. 20The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. 22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:21 word by word
יָ֣ד לְ֭יָד לֹא־יִנָּ֣קֶה רָּ֑ע וְזֶ֖רַע צַדִּיקִ֣ים נִמְלָֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:21
- Proverbs 16:5The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
- Exodus 23:2“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,
- Proverbs 13:22A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
- Genesis 17:7I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
- Psalms 37:26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
- Psalms 112:1Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
- Isaiah 27:4I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire.
- Jeremiah 32:39I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
- Acts 2:39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 11:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Though hand join in hand - Let them confederate as they please, to support each other, justice will take care that they escape not punishment. The Hindoos sometimes ratify an engagement by one person laying his right hand on the hand of another - Ward.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21literally, “hand to hand.” The meaning of which is, “Hand may plight faith to hand, men may confederate for evil, yet punishment shall come at last;” or “From hand to hand, from one generation to another, punishment shall descend on the evil doers.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Good behavior positively impacts the next generation.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Psa 37:25, 26).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 11:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 11
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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