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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 />To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />To do justice and judgment <i>is</i> more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice <i>Is</i> more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the LORD more than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD rather than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Doing what is right and fair pleases the LORD more than an offering. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the LORD than offering a sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do what is right and fair; that pleases the LORD more than bringing him sacrifices. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. <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 righteousness and judgment, "" Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To do justice and judgment was chosen by Jehovah above gold.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who does righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than he who offers a sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Whoever does righteousness and judgment is chosen to LORD JEHOVAH by sacrifice.<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 righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-3.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=4163" 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">2</span>All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śōh (V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">To do</a> <a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: ṣə·ḏā·qāh (N-fs) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">righteousness</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: ū·miš·pāṭ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">and justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: niḇ·ḥār (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">is more desirable</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: miz·zā·ḇaḥ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">than sacrifice.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.…<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="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / 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="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a></span><br />But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a></span><br />If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22-23</a></span><br />For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a></span><br />and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-8.htm">Hebrews 10:8-9</a></span><br />In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). / Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a></span><br />Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a></span><br />Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></b></br> The sacrifice of the wicked <i>is</i> an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright <i>is</i> his delight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></b></br> And Samuel said, Hath the LORD <i>as great</i> delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey <i>is</i> better than sacrifice, <i>and</i> to hearken than the fat of rams.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Psalm 50:8</a></b></br> I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, <i>to have been</i> continually before me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/psalms/131-1.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-16.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-28.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-17.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-18.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">True.</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>To do righteousness and justice</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior and moral integrity. In the Hebrew context, "righteousness" (tsedaqah) and "justice" (mishpat) are foundational to God's character and His expectations for His people. The call to live righteously and justly is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, seen in passages like <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>, which states that God requires His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. The emphasis on these virtues reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to His laws was a demonstration of faithfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus embodies perfect righteousness and justice, fulfilling the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<p><b>is more desirable to the LORD</b><br>This phrase highlights God's preference for ethical living over ritualistic practices. The Hebrew word for "desirable" (bachar) implies a choice or preference, indicating that God values moral conduct over religious ceremonies. This sentiment is echoed in <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>, where Samuel tells Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. The prophets frequently criticized Israel for neglecting justice and righteousness while maintaining religious rituals (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a>, <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a>). This underscores the biblical principle that God desires a heart aligned with His will rather than mere external compliance.<p><b>than sacrifice</b><br>Sacrifice was a central aspect of worship in ancient Israel, prescribed in the Mosaic Law as a means of atonement and fellowship with God. However, this phrase suggests that God prioritizes ethical behavior over ritual offerings. The sacrificial system was intended to point to the need for a pure heart and genuine repentance. In the New Testament, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfills the sacrificial system, offering a once-for-all atonement for sin (<a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Hebrews 10:10</a>). This ultimate sacrifice underscores the importance of internal transformation over external rituals, aligning with the message of <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> that God values righteousness and justice above all.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He ruled Israel and compiled many wise sayings and teachings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His relationship with Israel and His desire for His people to live righteously.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and religious context in which Proverbs was written, where sacrifices were a central part of worship and religious practice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_priority_of_righteousness_and_justice.htm">The Priority of Righteousness and Justice</a></b><br>God values ethical behavior and moral integrity over religious rituals. Our daily actions and decisions should reflect His standards of righteousness and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_worship.htm">The Heart of Worship</a></b><br>True worship is not just about external rituals but involves living a life that pleases God through justice and righteousness. Our worship should be reflected in how we treat others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_over_ritual.htm">Obedience Over Ritual</a></b><br>Obedience to God's commands and living a life of integrity is more pleasing to God than merely performing religious duties. We should focus on aligning our lives with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_righteousness.htm">Practical Righteousness</a></b><br>Righteousness and justice should be evident in our interactions with others. This includes fairness, honesty, and compassion in our personal and professional lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to reflect God's character in our actions. This means prioritizing justice and righteousness in all aspects of life, as these are attributes of God Himself.<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_is_kidron_valley_important.htm">What defines punitive justice?</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/why_ignore_justice,_mercy,_faithfulness.htm">Why do you hypocritically ignore justice, mercy, and faithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/define_lovingkindness..htm">What does 'God is just' mean?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">To do justice and judgment, &c--</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm" title="Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.">Proverbs 10:2</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Is more acceptable than sacrifice.--</span>See above on 15:8.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To do justice and judgment is</span> <span class="cmt_word">more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.</span> The superiority of moral obedience to ceremonial worship is often inculcated (see note on Proverbs 15:8, and below, ver. 27; and comp. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> and <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a>). "Justice" and "judgment" (<span class="accented">tsedakah</span> and <span class="accented">mishpat</span>) are combined in <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Genesis 18:19</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/8-15.htm">2 Samuel 8:15</a>; <a href="/job/37-23.htm">Job 37:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/56-1.htm">Isaiah 56:1</a>, etc. They imply equity and justice proceeding, not from bare regard to law, but from the principle of love. Septuagint, "To do justify and to speak the truth are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-3.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">To do</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲ֭שֹׂה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śōh)</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">righteousness</span><br /><span class="heb">צְדָקָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḏā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rightness, subjectively, objectively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and justice</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">is more desirable</span><br /><span class="heb">נִבְחָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(niḇ·ḥār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than sacrifice.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזָּֽבַח׃</span> <span class="translit">(miz·zā·ḇaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> </span><span class="str2">A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:4" /></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>