Proverbs 21:15 · King James Version
Proverbs 21:15 in the Original Hebrew
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Proverbs 21:15 in Other Translations
| KJV | It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. |
|---|---|
| WEB | It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. |
| ASV | It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. |
| YLT | To do justice is joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity. |
| WBT | [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity. |
| DBY | It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity. |
Commentary on Proverbs 21:15
Expositions from classic Bible commentators.
John Gill · Proverbs 21:15
It is joy to the, last to do judgment,.... It is with pleasure he does it; he delights in the law of God, after the inward man, and finds much peace of mind and joy in the Holy Ghost in keeping it, and observing its commands, which are holy, just, and good; yea, it gives him pleasure to see justice done by others; both by private persons in their dealings with one another; and especially by judges putting the laws in execution, as their office requires; whereby much good comes to a nation in general, and to particular persons;
but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity; that make a trade of sinning; whose whole life is a continued series of sin and iniquity; who take much pains in committing sin, and are constant at it; everlasting destruction is in their ways, and they lead unto it: or, "terror" (a) shall be to them; terror of mind now at times, in opposition to the joy and peace a good man finds; and dreadful horror at death and to all eternity: or, as it is joy to a just man to see public justice done, and good laws put in execution, it is a terror to evildoers, Rom 13:3.
(a) "pavor", V. L. "horror", Tigurine version; "terror", Vatablus, Mercerus; "consternatio", Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Proverbs 21:15
But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
Read Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's full commentary on Proverbs 21 →
Cross References for Proverbs 21:15
Related passages, ranked by how often readers connect them. Cross-reference data from openbible.info (CC-BY).
Questions about Proverbs 21:15
What does Proverbs 21:15 say?
Proverbs 21:15 in the King James Version reads: “It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” Read it in the full context of Proverbs 21, alongside the classic commentary on this page.
Where is Proverbs 21:15 found in the Bible?
Proverbs 21:15 is in the book of Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 15, in the Old Testament.
What Bible translation is Proverbs 21:15 shown in?
This is the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation. You can compare how other translations render Proverbs 21:15 in the table on this page.
Note, 1. It is a pleasure and satisfaction to good men both to see justice administered by the government they live under, right taking place and iniquity suppressed, and also to practise it themselves, according as their sphere is. They no only do justice, but do it with pleasure, not only for fear of shame, but for love of virtue. 2. It is a terror to wicked men to see the laws put in execution against vice and profaneness. It is destruction to them; as it is also a vexation to them to be forced, either for the support of their credit or for fear of punishment, to do judgment themselves. Or, if we take it as we read it, the meaning is, There is true pleasure in the practice of religion, but certain destruction at the end of all vicious courses.