New International Version
Proverbs 3:27
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Proverbs 3:27 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Context of Proverbs 3:27
25Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 28Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. 29Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
Read all of Proverbs 3Proverbs 3:27 word by word
אַל־תִּמְנַע־ט֥וֹב מִבְּעָלָ֑יו בִּהְי֨וֹת לְאֵ֖ל יָדְךָ֣ לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 3:27
- Romans 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
- Galatians 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
- James 2:15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
- James 5:4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
- Genesis 31:29I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
- Micah 2:1Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.
Commentaries on Proverbs 3:27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due - מבעליו mibbealaiv, from the lords of it. But who are they? The poor. And what art thou, O rich man? Why, thou art a steward, to whom God has given substance that thou mayest divide with the poor. They are the right owners of every farthing thou hast to spare from thy own support, and that of thy family; and God has given the surplus for their sakes. Dost thou, by hoarding up this treasure, deprive the right…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27-35Verses 27-35 A marked change in style. The continuous exhortation is replaced by a series of maxims. From them to whom it is due - literally, as in the margin. The precept expresses the great Scriptural thought that the so-called possession of wealth is but a stewardship; that the true owners of what we call our own are those to whom, with it, we may do good. Not to relieve them is a breach of trust. Proverbs 3:28 Procrastination is especially fatal to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-35Verses 27-35 Our business is to observe the precepts of Christ, and to copy his example; to do justice, to love mercy, and to beware of covetousness; to be ready for every good work, avoiding needless strife, and bearing evils, if possible, rather than seeking redress by law. It will be found there is little got by striving. Let us not envy prosperous oppressors; far be it from the disciples of Christ to choose any of their ways. These truths may be…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 27-28A wise person is a kind and helpful neighbor. Proverbs strongly emphasizes helping those in financial need (Proverbs 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2827-28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jas 2:15, 16).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 3:27
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 3
- 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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