It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Parallel Translations
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It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
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It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
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To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (15)
Passages linked to Proverbs 21:15 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Proverbs 10:29 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
- Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
- Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
- Isaiah 64:5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?
- Job 29:12-17 Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him, the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy. I researched the cause of him who I didn’t know. I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
- Psalms 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
- Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
- Psalms 112:1 Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments.
- Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
- Proverbs 5:20 For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?
- Proverbs 21:12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
- Luke 13:27-28 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside.
- John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
- Psalms 119:92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
- Romans 7:22 For I delight in God’s law after the inward man,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 21:15 [It is] joy to the just to…
Pro 21:15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
Ver. 15. It is joy to the just to do judgment.] They love it dearly, and therefore cannot but rejoice in it exceedingly: "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil," {Psa 119:162} wherein the pleasure is usually as much as the profit. Besides, as every flower hath its sweet savour, so every good duty carries meat in the mouth - comfort in the performance. Hence the saints’ alacrity in God’s service, so far as they are spiritual. "I delight in the law of God, after the inward man," saith St Paul, {Rom 7:22} who yet but a little before complained of a clog.
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But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.] Wicked men are great workmen; they put themselves to no small pains in "catering for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof"; yea, and this they do with singular delight, as the opposition implies; they "weary themselves to commit iniquity," {Jer 9:5} and yet they give not over, but lie grinding day and night in the mill of some or other base lust. Now what can come of this, better than utter destruction? which indeed is the just hire of the least sin, and will befall the workers of iniquity, as sure as the coat is on their back or the heart in their body.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain It is joy to the just: the sense is…
It is joy to the just: the sense is either,
1. He is highly pleased and delighted with it. Or,
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2. He reapeth much comfort and benefit by it, which is opposed to the following destruction: joy is put for matter or cause of joy.
To do judgment; to do what is just or good, for this is opposed to working of iniquity.
Destruction; or, as others render it, terror or horror, opposite to joy.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain Note, 1. It is a pleasure and satisfaction to…
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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain It is joy to the, last to do judgment,....…
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.
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(a) "pavor", V. L. "horror", Tigurine version; "terror", Vatablus, Mercerus; "consternatio", Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain It is not that the just does judgment. Conscience…
It is not that the just does judgment. Conscience may dictate this, at least externally, while the bias of the heart is on the side of sin. But it is joy to the just to do it. His rest, purpose, affections — all center in it. He has as much delight in doing judgment, as "the soul of the wicked desireth evil" (Pro 21:10 ), as his own soul desired it.†1 It is joy, but only to the just.†2 To the mere professor of religion it is conviction, and fear; the service of a slave. He knows God only as a Master, and conceives of him as a task-master. He has never known him as a Father, and therefore never served him as a child. But his true service — does it not, Christian? — identifies holiness and happiness, and brings its own smile and income of joy with it, as naturally as heat accompanies fire, and beams flow from the sun. And thus "the way of the LORD is strength to the upright." (Pro 10:29 .) Was it not so with our beloved Lord? He could say — "I delight to do thy will, O my God. My meat, that the world knows not of, is to do my Father’s will, and to finish his work."†3 Oh! that the servant might be in spirit like his Lord!
What, then, is the gloom and sadness charged upon religion? Truly the children of this world have never tasted the clusters of Canaan. How then can they know their sweetness? Christian! look up, and be cheerful, for the honor of your God and his gospel. Live not, as if some affliction had happened to you; but as one snatched from destruction; as a child of God, an heir of heaven. You know more than you can tell. You can tell enough to make the world inexcusable, if they turn away. But you cannot tell half, when all that you can tell is told. Yet let them see, that "the work of righteousness is peace," and "the yoke of Christ is easy;"†4 nay, that the sharpest sacrifices for him are sweet; that there is more pleasure in "plucking out the right eye" for him, than in using it for sin or for Satan. And then for yourself think further, if this be the happiness amidst all the clogging hindrances of sin, what will it be, when these hindrances shall be removed, and we shall serve him without sin for ever!†5 If such be the wilderness, what will Canaan be!
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But what know the ungodly of this reality? Sin is to them a mockery,†6 a sport,†7 even a joy.†8 But never can it be their solid joy. It is their weariness, never their rest.†9 To the workers of iniquity belong only vanity and disappointment, ending in destruction.†10 Hear the testimony of God — "Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."†11
Footnotes:
†1 Eph 2:2-3. Tit 3:3 .
†2 Psa 32:11; Psa 97:11-12 .
†3 Psa 40:8. Joh 4:32-34 .
†4 Isa 32:17. Mat 11:30 .
†5 Rev 7:15; Rev 22:3 .
†6 Pro 14:9.
†7 Pro 10:23; Pro 26:18-19 .
†8 Pro 15:21.
†9 Isa 47:13; Isa 57:10, Isa 57:20 ; Jer 9:5 .
†10 Pro 5:22. Mat 7:23 .
†11 Rom 3:16-17. Isa 59:7-8 ; Isa 57:21 .
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain To do judgment. Or to see it done, while…
To do judgment. Or to see it done, while the wicked depend only on the corruption of their judges.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain But the just love right and need no bribes.…
But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 15. Joy… to do judgment — The proper administration…
15. Joy… to do judgment — The proper administration of justice is a “joy,” or satisfaction, to the upright.
Destruction — The workers of iniquity shall be visited with terror.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 15. destruction shall be] There is no necessity for…
15. destruction shall be] There is no necessity for inserting the words shall be. The subject may be continued from the preceding clause but it (sc. to do judgement) is a destruction to (in the estimation of) the workers of iniquity. It is the ruin, they think, of all their prospects. Comp. Pro_10:29.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (15) But destruction shall be to the workers of…
(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 Mat_6:33. They think they will be ruined if they do not cheat their neighbours when they have an opportunity.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain It is joy to the just to do judgment.…
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 Pro_10:23 Pro_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 Pro_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 (akayartov ) among evil doers." So RAPC Wis 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 (akayarsiwn )."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain It is joy to the just to do Judgment.
Pro_21:15
It is joy to the just to do Judgment.
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The pleasure of doing right
The text virtually says, When good magistrates discharge their trust faithfully, and execute justice impartially, all honest and good men are greatly rejoiced at it, but it brings a sore terror and consternation upon the workers of iniquity.
I. It is a great pleasure to a just man to do justice.
1. Because it is acting according to his own inclinations. It is always pleasant to a man to pursue the natural or habitual inclinations of his mind. Even evil and naughty inclinations make it pleasant in some degree for the time to act according to them.
2. Because he knows that he does well in so doing, and that his action is approved by Almighty God.
3. Because of the assured hope it gives him of Gods favour, who is evermore a lover and rewarder of the upright.
4. Because it is a high honour done him by Almighty God to be employed in doing part of His work. For it is God that is the great doer of justice to all His creatures.
II. It is a great pleasure to the spectators, if they be righteous and good men, to see good magistrates faithfully discharging their duty in the execution of justice.
1. Because this is a thing so very necessary and so beneficial to mankind.
2. There are some particular eases wherein it is more especially a pleasant thing to do justice or to see it well done.
III. The execution of justice is terrible to evil-doers. It must needs be so, since it is they who suffer by it.
IV. Injustice and wickedness will most certainly bring a man to ruin without repentance. In this world it cannot otherwise be but some will escape from justice, as it is executed by men. There is One above whom no man can deceive, none can bribe, who will not fail to do right to all. This doctrine will afford us motives sufficient to the duties which all or any of us are now called to.
1. To choose such a magistrate as we believe will be faithful to the trust reposed in him.
2. To discharge the great trust of magistracy accordingly, and so as to answer the hopes and expectations of good men.
3. To be aiding and assisting in the doing thereof, which is every ones duty as he has ability and opportunity.
4. To behave ourselves so that a good magistrate faithfully discharging his trust may be no terror, but a joy and comfort to us. (Samuel Barton, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain Pro_21:15. Shall be. These words are not in the…
CRITICAL NOTES.—
Pro_21:15. Shall be. These words are not in the original, and destroy the sense, which is that justice is joy to the good, and destruction to the bad. Luther renders, “It is a joy to the just to do what is right; but to the wicked a terror.”
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MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro_21:15
THE JOY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
I. The just man’s own character and actions give him joy. It is a matter of experience with all the righteous beings in the universe that joy comes to them from uprightness of character. The blessedness and joy of God Himself comes from His supreme and absolute righteousness, and in proportion as His creatures are conscious of partaking of His rectitude of character they feel joy. But this righteousness of character is made manifest in righteous deeds. We know that God is a righteous God by what He has done, and by what He has promised to do, and the character of righteous men is likewise manifested in their acts. From these deeds come joy to the doer. Whenever a good man is able to redress some injury, or to make right some moral wrong—to put into exercise the love of right which is always latent within him—he feels joy.
II. The just man derives joy from the justice and righteousness of others. His great desire is to see the world freed from the rule of sin, with all its consequent miseries, and he hails every act of justice done as one more step towards that end. He sympathises with all those who struggle for right against might, whether with human or Satanic powers, and every victory gained by them gladdens his heart. As he is on the side of justice he has nothing to fear, but everything to gain, from the advance of justice in the world, and in the universe, and therefore he not only rejoices in the doings of other righteous men, but especially in the righteous acts of God. Knowing that everyone of them tends to bring in the rule of everlasting righteousness, and knowing that this rule will be the best possible for both the just and the unjust, and having a glad consciousness that to him it can bring nothing but good, the just dealings of God are the constant theme of his glad meditations. With the Psalmist he can sing, “Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous judgments” (Psa_119:164).
III. The workers of iniquity have no such source of personal joy. The name given implies their character. It is iniquitous, unequal, crooked. Their path lies quite apart from the straight road of obedience to God and justice to men, and therefore none of the flowers and fruits which grow only in the one path can be gathered upon the other. But they not only miss the joy of the just, but are active agents in creating their own misery. Sin is a destructive power. Destruction is used in two senses. A thing is destroyed when the elements which composed it cease to be, but it is also destroyed when the form which made it precious and beautiful is lost. The palace is destroyed when the earthquake lays it level with the ground, although all the stones and timbers are still there. The garment is destroyed when the fire blackens and scorches it, although the warp and woof of the fabric is still in existence. So a man’s destruction is, as we understand the Word of God, not the cessation of his existence, but the loss of all that makes existence of worth to himself and others.
IV. The workers of iniquity cannot rejoice in the righteous dealings of others. The rectitude of the just man condemns them. It makes their ways look more crooked by the force of contrast, and it rebukes their consciences. It necessarily sometimes takes a more active form against them. The thief cannot joy in the law that condemns him to punishment, and is not likely to take pleasure in the character of the judge who passes sentence upon him. No godless man can rejoice in reflecting on the righteousness of God, for that righteousness fills him with terror in the present, and apprehensions concerning the future.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Not the saint’s “judgment;” that is “joy,” of course: but all “judgment,” even the judgment of the lost. Sad doctrine that! and to man’s feeling a very shameful one. But to man’s reason there may be a glimpse of light. The highest “joy” is to be holiness; the highest holiness, the holiness of God. All judgment is built upon that. God’s holiness, therefore, being the basis upon which He condemns the lost, in that “judgment” which is part of the trait may be part of the “joy” which springs to the glorified believer.—Miller.
“It is joy to the just to do right; but vexation” (distress, trouble) “to the workers of iniquity.” Such is Boothroyd’s rendering; and it agrees with the French. The righteous find their happiness in the ways of God,—in doing the thing that is right. So far from true religion—practical godliness—being a source to them of irksome melancholy, it is their “joy.” But to the wicked it is irksome. The principle of goodness or of godliness being absent from the heart, all conformity to precept is against the grain with them. They may do what is right from compulsion, from considerations of interest, or from the constraint of conscience and fear; but pleasure in it they have none—no “joy.” And hence it is that amongst ungodly, worldly men, the impression and saying are so prevalent, that religion is melancholy. While the heart continues at enmity with God, all outward conformity to the will and worship of God can be nothing better than vexation,—harassing and fretting to the spirit, and drawing forth the exclamation, What a weariness is it! The joy of religious and virtuous practice can only be felt where there is the inward power of religious and virtuous principle. It is a joy that can only be known by the experience of the new heart; and by the new heart it is felt to be the only joy worthy of the name. But the heart that is still a stranger to the love must be still a stranger to the joy; and the whole life of the good man must appear a life of bondage. The man who has no ear for music would regard the ecstasies of a Handel as ridiculous; but such ecstasies are not on that account the less real.—Wardlaw.
Gravity is nowhere so seemly, as when it is the robe of the judgment seat; and though justice be done, yet if wantonly or lightly done, it is divested of the honour of it. Wherefore the joy which the wise man here commendeth is not the vanity, but the alacrity of the mind. That detracteth from the worth of it even in the sight of men, this addeth to it in the sight of God. Now, that which breedeth this joy is the habit of it. He that doth judgment now and then is not righteous, though he do that which is righteous. It is the constant doer of judgment that is made righteous by it, and findeth joy in the doing of it.—Jermin.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain v. 15. It is joy to the just to…
v. 15. It is joy to the just to do judgment, they love right and delight in performing its demands always; but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity, that is, the exercise of justice strikes terror to the heart of those who are active in wickedness.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 When justice is done
When justice is done
The abstract noun "justice" can be translated as a noun phrase. These words can be translated in active form. AT: "When rulers do what is just" (See: Abstract Nouns and Active or Passive)
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wanders from the way of understanding
This is an idiom. AT: "no longer lives wisely" (See: Idiom)
he will rest in the assembly of the dead
"he will remain in the assembly of dead spirits"
translationWords
just
joy
terror
evil
rest
assembly
die
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 21:15 God is just, so he will reward the…
21:15 God is just, so he will reward the innocent and punish the wicked. No wonder the godly love justice while the wicked fear it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.