Proverbs 13:21

ยถ Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

Evil {H7451} pursueth {H7291} sinners {H2400}: but to the righteous {H6662} good {H2896} shall be repayed {H7999}.

Evil pursues sinners, but prosperity will reward the righteous.

Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

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Commentary

Proverbs 13:21 in the King James Version offers a stark contrast between the fate of the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing the principle of divine justice and consequences.

Context

The book of Proverbs is part of the Old Testament's wisdom literature, focusing on practical guidance for living a life pleasing to God. Chapter 13, like many others, presents a series of short, independent proverbs often contrasting the wise/righteous with the foolish/wicked, highlighting the outcomes of their choices and actions in daily life.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Sin: Sin has negative, persistent repercussions that actively seek out the sinner.
  • Blessings for the Righteous: Goodness and favor are the inevitable rewards or repayments for those who live righteously.
  • Divine Justice: The verse reflects a fundamental biblical principle that God's moral order ensures that actions have corresponding outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pursueth" (rฤแธap) often implies an active chase or pursuit, suggesting that evil is not merely a passive state for the sinner but an active force that dogs their steps. The term for "repayed" (ลกillem) carries the idea of completing, restoring, or rendering back, indicating that good is not just a potential outcome for the righteous but a certainty, a settled account.

Commentary and Application

This proverb presents a universal truth about the moral economy of the world as God established it. For the sinner, evil is depicted almost as a relentless hunter, actively pursuing them and bringing negative consequences. This isn't necessarily instant cosmic retribution but the natural, often cumulative, result of choices that defy God's order โ€“ broken relationships, internal turmoil, societal consequences, and ultimately, spiritual separation.

Conversely, the righteous person, who walks in integrity and obedience to God's commands, is assured of "good" being repaid. This "good" encompasses not only material blessings but also peace, favor, lasting joy, and the assurance of God's presence and approval. It reinforces the idea found elsewhere in scripture that what one sows, one will also reap.

The verse serves as both a warning and an encouragement. It warns against the path of sin, highlighting its inescapable negative outcomes. It encourages the righteous, assuring them that their efforts to live according to God's will are seen and will be rewarded. It aligns with the contrast drawn in Psalm 1 between the way of the wicked, which perishes, and the way of the righteous, which the Lord knows.

Reflection

Proverbs 13:21 calls us to consider the trajectory of our lives. Are we walking in ways that invite the pursuit of evil, or are we living righteously, trusting in God's promise that good will ultimately be our reward? It reminds us that our choices have significant and lasting consequences.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 32:10

    Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

  • Isaiah 3:10

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Romans 2:7

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

  • Romans 2:10

    But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

  • Proverbs 13:13

    ยถ Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

  • Numbers 32:23

    But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
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