New Living Translation
Proverbs 28:21
21Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
Proverbs 28:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
- New International Version (NIV)To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
- English Standard Version (ESV)To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
- New King James Version (NKJV)To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
Context of Proverbs 28:21
19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. 20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. 22Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. 23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
Read all of Proverbs 28Proverbs 28:21 word by word
הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֥ים לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְעַל־פַּת־לֶ֝֗חֶם יִפְשַׁע־גָּֽבֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 28:21
- Proverbs 18:5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
- Proverbs 24:23Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
- Exodus 23:2“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.
- Ezekiel 13:19You bring shame on me among my people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.
- Hosea 4:18When the rulers of Israel finish their drinking, off they go to find some prostitutes. They love shame more than honor.
- Micah 3:5This is what the Lord says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.
- Micah 7:3Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.
- Romans 16:18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
- 2 Peter 2:3In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
Commentaries on Proverbs 28:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Dishonest partiality leads men who have enslaved themselves to it to transgress, even when the inducement is altogether disproportionate. A “piece of bread” was proverbial at all times as the most extreme point of poverty (compare the marginal reference).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Giving a wrong verdict because of a bribe is wrong (Proverbs 17:23; 22:16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. respect of persons--(Pr 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 28:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 28
- 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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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