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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction <i>shall be</i> to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction <i>will come</i> to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But terror to those who practice injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The execution of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />To do justice is pleasure for the righteous, But is ruin to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God), But to the evildoers it is disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When justice is done, good citizens are glad and crooks are terrified. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted, but troublemakers are terrified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are brought to despair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, "" But ruin to workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To do justice is joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Joy to the just one to do judgment: and destruction to those working iniquity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When justice is done it is a joy for the just, downfall for evildoers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but destruction to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The joy of the righteous works justice, and ruin to evildoers.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />To do justly is joy to the righteous, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy <i>man</i> is abominable with evil-doers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">Justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śō·wṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">executed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8057.htm" title="8057: śim·ḥāh (N-fs) -- Joy, gladness, mirth. From sameach; blithesomeness or glee.">is a joy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: laṣ·ṣad·dîq (Prep-l, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">to the righteous,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4288.htm" title="4288: ū·mə·ḥit·tāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Terror, destruction, ruin. From chathah; properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or consternation.">but a terror</a> <a href="/hebrew/6466.htm" title="6466: lə·p̄ō·‘ă·lê (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, especially to practise.">to the workers</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">of iniquity.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-8.htm">Isaiah 61:8</a></span><br />For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a></span><br />For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-24.htm">Amos 5:24</a></span><br />But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-5.htm">Psalm 33:5</a></span><br />The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-7.htm">Psalm 11:7</a></span><br />For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-18.htm">Isaiah 30:18</a></span><br />Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-9.htm">Hebrews 1:9</a></span><br />You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-20.htm">James 1:20</a></span><br />for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.</p><p class="hdg">joy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12-17</a></b></br> Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and <i>him that had</i> none to help him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-8.htm">Psalm 40:8</a></b></br> I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law <i>is</i> within my heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/112-1.htm">Psalm 112:1</a></b></br> Praise ye the LORD. Blessed <i>is</i> the man <i>that</i> feareth the LORD, <i>that</i> delighteth greatly in his commandments.</p><p class="hdg">destruction</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Proverbs 21:12</a></b></br> The righteous <i>man</i> wisely considereth the house of the wicked: <i>but God</i> overthroweth the wicked for <i>their</i> wickedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm">Proverbs 5:20</a></b></br> And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-29.htm">Proverbs 10:29</a></b></br> The way of the LORD <i>is</i> strength to the upright: but destruction <i>shall be</i> to the workers of iniquity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/116-11.htm">Dismay</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-29.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-28.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Justly</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Workers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-17.htm">Dismay</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-24.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-16.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-25.htm">Justly</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-22.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-10.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-9.htm">Workers</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Justice executed is a joy to the righteous</b><br>Justice is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's character as a just and righteous judge. In the context of ancient Israel, justice was not only a legal matter but a divine mandate. The righteous, those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles, find joy in justice because it aligns with their values and the order God intended for creation. This joy is rooted in the assurance that God is sovereign and His justice will ultimately prevail. The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, such as in <a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a>, which states that the Lord loves justice and will not forsake His saints. The joy of the righteous is also a foretaste of the ultimate justice that will be realized in the eschatological fulfillment of God's kingdom, as seen in <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Revelation 21:4</a>, where God will wipe away every tear and right every wrong.<p><b>but a terror to the workers of iniquity</b><br>In contrast, those who engage in iniquity, or moral wrongdoing, find justice to be a source of terror. This reflects the biblical principle that sin has consequences, and those who persist in evil will face judgment. The fear of justice is a natural response for those who reject God's ways, as seen in the story of Cain in <a href="/genesis/4.htm">Genesis 4</a>, where he fears retribution after murdering Abel. The concept of divine retribution is a recurring theme, with <a href="/proverbs/10-29.htm">Proverbs 10:29</a> stating that the way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless but destruction to evildoers. This terror is not only a present reality but also points to the final judgment, where all will be held accountable before God, as described in <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>. The workers of iniquity are reminded that their actions are not hidden from God, and His justice will ultimately be served, reinforcing the call to repentance and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>Those who live according to God's laws and seek to uphold justice and righteousness in their lives.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/workers_of_iniquity.htm">Workers of Iniquity</a></b><br>Individuals who engage in sinful, unjust, or immoral behavior, opposing God's standards.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/justice.htm">Justice</a></b><br>The fair and impartial treatment of individuals, ensuring that righteousness prevails and wrongs are righted.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of justice.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, where justice was a central theme in the community's life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_joy_of_justice_for_the_righteous.htm">The Joy of Justice for the Righteous</a></b><br>Justice brings joy to those who live righteously because it aligns with their values and God's will.<br><br>Righteous individuals find satisfaction in seeing fairness and truth prevail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_justice_for_the_wicked.htm">The Fear of Justice for the Wicked</a></b><br>For those who practice iniquity, justice is a source of fear because it exposes their wrongdoing and brings consequences.<br><br>This fear can serve as a deterrent, encouraging repentance and a turn towards righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_justice_in_society.htm">The Role of Justice in Society</a></b><br>Justice is essential for maintaining order and peace within a community.<br><br>Believers are called to advocate for justice, reflecting God's character in their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection_on_justice.htm">Personal Reflection on Justice</a></b><br>Examine personal attitudes towards justice and righteousness.<br><br>Consider how one's actions contribute to or detract from justice in their community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_ultimate_justice.htm">Trusting in God's Ultimate Justice</a></b><br>While human justice systems can fail, believers can trust in God's perfect justice.<br><br>This trust provides peace and assurance, even in the face of injustice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_unjust_people_live_without_fear.htm">Proverbs 21:15: If justice truly terrifies evildoers, why do we see so many unjust individuals living without apparent fear or consequences? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_1's_justice_align_with_job.htm">How can Psalm 1's vision of immediate justice be reconciled with biblical accounts like Job, where the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_is_war_or_peace_appropriate.htm">When is war or peace appropriate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_rape_culture.htm">What defines rape culture?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.</span>--This may also mean, "It is a terror to the workers of iniquity (to do right)." They are afraid to trust such promises as <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm" title="But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.">Matthew 6:33</a>. They think they will be ruined if they do not cheat their neighbours when they have an opportunity.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">It is joy to the just to do judgment.</span> The righteous feel real pleasure in doing what is right; they have the answer of a good conscience, and the feeling that they are, as far as they can, making God's will their will, and this brings deep comfort and stable joy (see some contrary experiences, ver. 10 and <a href="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Proverbs 10:23</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Proverbs 15:21</a>). <span class="cmt_word">But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.</span> The Authorized Version, by inserting "shall be," and making this clause a separate assertion, obscures the force of the original, which, as in <a href="/proverbs/10-29.htm">Proverbs 10:29</a> (where see note), contrasts the effect of right-doing on the good and the evil. It is a joy to the former, "but destruction [or, 'terror'] to them that work iniquity." <span class="accented">Et pavor operantibus iniquitatem</span>, Vulgate. They cannot trust themselves to do rightly without fear; they cannot commit the result to God, as the righteous do; if ever they do act uprightly, it is against their inclination, and such action will, as they fear, bring them to ruin. Septuagint, "It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment; but a holy man is abominable (<span class="greek">ἀκάθαρτος</span>) among evil doers." So Wisd. 2:15, "He [the rightous] is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion... he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness (<span class="greek">ἀκαθαρσιῶν</span>)." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Justice</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּ֑ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">executed</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשׂ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a joy</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂמְחָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(śim·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8057.htm">Strong's 8057: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blithesomeness, glee</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the righteous,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֭צַּדִּיק</span> <span class="translit">(laṣ·ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but a terror</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·ḥit·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4288.htm">Strong's 4288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dissolution, a ruin, consternation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the workers</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ō·‘ă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6466.htm">Strong's 6466: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make, to practise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of iniquity.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽוֶן׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-15.htm">Proverbs 21:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the righteous (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>