Proverbs 21:15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

Bible > Proverbs > Chapter 21 > Verse 15

◄ Proverbs 21:15 ►

New International Version
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

New Living Translation
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

English Standard Version
When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

Berean Standard Bible
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

King James Bible
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

New King James Version
It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

New American Standard Bible
The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But terror to those who practice injustice.

NASB 1995
The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

NASB 1977
The execution of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

Legacy Standard Bible
To do justice is pleasure for the righteous, But is ruin to the workers of iniquity.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

American Standard Version
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

Contemporary English Version
When justice is done, good citizens are glad and crooks are terrified.

English Revised Version
It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted, but troublemakers are terrified.

Good News Translation
When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are brought to despair.

International Standard Version
Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.

Majority Standard Bible
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

NET Bible
Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.

New Heart English Bible
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

World English Bible
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, "" But ruin to workers of iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
To do justice is joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.

Smith's Literal Translation
Joy to the just one to do judgment: and destruction to those working iniquity.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.

New American Bible
When justice is done it is a joy for the just, downfall for evildoers.

New Revised Standard Version
When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but destruction to the workers of iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The joy of the righteous works justice, and ruin to evildoers.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
To do justly is joy to the righteous, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The King's Heart
…14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 61:8
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.

Psalm 37:28
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.

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Micah 6:8
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?

Psalm 33:5
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.

Jeremiah 22:3
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.

Isaiah 5:20
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.

Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

Isaiah 30:18
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.

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Hebrews 1:9
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

James 1:20
for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Romans 13:4
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.

Treasury of Scripture

It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

joy

Job 29:12-17
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him…

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psalm 112:1
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

destruction

Proverbs 21:12
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Proverbs 5:20
And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 10:29
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

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Destruction Dismay Evil Evildoers Exercise Good Iniquity Joy Judgment Justice Justly Right Righteous Ruin Terror Workers

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Proverbs 21

1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord

Berean Study Bible

Justice executed
The Hebrew word for "justice" is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which encompasses the idea of judgment, law, and order. In the ancient Near Eastern context, justice was not merely a legal term but a divine mandate. The execution of justice was seen as a reflection of God's character, who is just and righteous. For the righteous, seeing justice executed is a confirmation of God's sovereignty and moral order in the world. It brings joy because it aligns with their desire for a world governed by God's principles.

is a joy
The Hebrew word for "joy" is "שִׂמְחָה" (simchah), which conveys a sense of gladness and delight. In the biblical context, joy is often associated with the presence and favor of God. When justice is executed, it brings joy to the righteous because it signifies that God's will is being done on earth. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated satisfaction in seeing God's righteousness prevail.

to the righteous
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), referring to those who live in accordance with God's laws and commandments. The righteous are characterized by their commitment to justice, mercy, and humility before God. In the biblical narrative, the righteous are often contrasted with the wicked, and their joy in seeing justice executed is rooted in their alignment with God's purposes and their hope for a world where righteousness reigns.

but a terror
The word "terror" in Hebrew is "מְחִתָּה" (mechittah), which implies fear, dread, or panic. For the workers of iniquity, the execution of justice is terrifying because it represents the exposure and punishment of their wrongdoing. This terror is not just a fear of earthly consequences but a recognition of divine judgment. In the biblical worldview, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and for the wicked, this fear becomes a terror when confronted with the reality of God's justice.

to the workers of iniquity
The phrase "workers of iniquity" translates the Hebrew "פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן" (po'alei aven), which describes those who actively engage in wrongdoing or wickedness. Iniquity, or "אָוֶן" (aven), refers to moral perversity and injustice. The workers of iniquity are those who oppose God's righteous standards and exploit others for their gain. In the biblical context, these individuals are often warned of the consequences of their actions, and the execution of justice serves as a divine warning and a call to repentance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.--This may also mean, "It is a terror to the workers of iniquity (to do right)." They are afraid to trust such promises as Matthew 6:33. They think they will be ruined if they do not cheat their neighbours when they have an opportunity.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - It is joy to the just to do judgment. 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 Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 15:21). But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The Authorized Version, by inserting "shall be," and making this clause a separate assertion, obscures the force of the original, which, as in Proverbs 10:29 (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." Et pavor operantibus iniquitatem, 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 (ἀκάθαρτος) 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 (ἀκαθαρσιῶν)."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Justice
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

executed
עֲשׂ֣וֹת (‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

is a joy
שִׂמְחָ֣ה (śim·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

to the righteous,
לַ֭צַּדִּיק (laṣ·ṣad·dîq)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

but a terror
וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה (ū·mə·ḥit·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4288: A dissolution, a ruin, consternation

to the workers
לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי (lə·p̄ō·‘ă·lê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6466: To do, make, to practise

of iniquity.
אָֽוֶן׃ (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the righteous (Prov. Pro Pr)