New International Version No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. New Living Translation No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. English Standard Version No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Berean Standard Bible No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Berean Literal Bible Not any iniquity will meet with the righteous one, and the wicked are full of evil. King James Bible There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. New King James Version No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. New American Standard Bible No harm happens to the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. NASB 1995 No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. NASB 1977 No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. Legacy Standard Bible No misfortune befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with calamity. Amplified Bible No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. Berean Annotated Bible No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Christian Standard Bible No disaster overcomes the righteous, but the wicked are full of misery. Holman Christian Standard Bible No disaster overcomes the righteous, but the wicked are full of misery. American Standard Version There shall no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil. Contemporary English Version Good people never have trouble, but troublemakers have more than enough. English Revised Version There shall no mischief happen to the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil. GOD'S WORD® Translation No [lasting] harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble. Good News Translation Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble. International Standard Version No harm overwhelms the righteous, but the wicked overflow with trouble. NET Bible The righteous do not encounter any harm, but the wicked are filled with calamity. New Heart English Bible No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Webster's Bible Translation There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNo harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. World English Bible No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionNo iniquity is desired by the righteous, "" And the wicked have been full of evil. Berean Literal Bible Not any iniquity will meet with the righteous one, and the wicked are full of evil. Young's Literal Translation No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil. Smith's Literal Translation No iniquity shall approach to the just one: and the unjust were filled with evil. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhatsoever shall befall the just man. it shall not make him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Catholic Public Domain Version Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters. New American Bible No harm befalls the just, but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune. New Revised Standard Version No harm happens to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA deceitful thing is not good in the eyes of the righteous; but the wicked are filled with mischief. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Nothing depraved is good to the righteous man, and the evil are filled with evil. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There shall no mischief befall the righteous; But the wicked are filled with evil. Brenton Septuagint Translation No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Loving Discipline and Knowledge…20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy. 21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.… Cross References No harm befalls the righteous, Psalm 91:10 no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent. Job 5:19 He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven. Psalm 121:7 The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. but the wicked are filled with trouble. Psalm 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD. Job 15:20-24 A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless. / Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him. / He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword. … Romans 2:9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Isaiah 3:10-11 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. 1 Peter 3:13 Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Psalm 37:25 I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Psalm 91:7 Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” Treasury of Scripture There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. no Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 1 Corinthians 3:22,23 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; … 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; filled Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. Jeremiah 13:12-14 Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? … Jump to Previous Befall Befalls Desired Evil Fill Filled Full Harm Ill Iniquity Mischief Righteous Sinners Trouble Upright WickedJump to Next Befall Befalls Desired Evil Fill Filled Full Harm Ill Iniquity Mischief Righteous Sinners Trouble Upright WickedProverbs 12 1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledgeNo harm befalls the righteous, God watches over those who fear Him and walk in obedience. Though the righteous may endure suffering, persecution, or loss, adversity does not finally defeat them or separate them from God. Their security rests in the Lord, who preserves them and brings His purposes to completion. Psa 91:10 no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent. but the wicked are filled with trouble. Those who reject God’s ways bring ruin upon themselves through sin, injustice, and rebellion. Their troubles often arise from their own choices, and apart from repentance they remain under God’s judgment. Psa 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion… Persons / Places / Events 1. The RighteousIn the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live according to God's laws and wisdom. They are characterized by their moral integrity and faithfulness to God's commands. 2. The Wicked This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways. They are often depicted as engaging in sinful behavior and rejecting divine wisdom. 3. Solomon Traditionally, Solomon is considered the primary author of Proverbs. His wisdom and insights are foundational to understanding the book's teachings. 4. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of spiritual and moral instruction. 5. Wisdom Literature A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings for living a life pleasing to God. Teaching Points Divine Protection for the RighteousThe Hebrew word for "harm" ('aven) can imply trouble or misfortune. The promise here is not the absence of challenges but the assurance of God's protection and ultimate deliverance. The Consequences of Wickedness The wicked, by contrast, are "filled with trouble." This reflects the natural consequences of living outside God's will, where sin leads to turmoil and distress. Living in Righteousness Righteousness involves aligning one's life with God's wisdom and commands. It is a daily commitment to seek His guidance and live according to His principles. Trust in God's Sovereignty Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is in control and will protect and guide those who are faithful to Him. The Role of Wisdom in Daily Life Proverbs emphasizes the importance of wisdom in making decisions that honor God and lead to a life of peace and security. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 12:21?2. How does Proverbs 12:21 encourage trust in God's protection for the righteous? 3. What does "no harm befalls the righteous" imply about God's promises? 4. How can believers apply Proverbs 12:21 during personal trials or challenges? 5. What other scriptures affirm God's protection over the righteous? 6. How can we discern if we are living as "righteous" according to Proverbs 12:21? 7. How does Proverbs 12:21 align with the reality of suffering among the righteous? 8. Does Proverbs 12:21 imply that the righteous are immune to misfortune? 9. How should Proverbs 12:21 be interpreted in light of historical and archaeological evidence? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 12? (21) There shall no evil happen to the just.--Comp. our Lord's promise as to temporal matters for those who "seek the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). and for God's care in spiritual matters, 1Corinthians 10:13.Verse 21. - There shall no evil - mischief - happen to the just. The mischief (aven) intended is not misfortune, calamity, but the evil consequences that follow on ill-doing (Proverbs 22:8); from these the righteous are saved. Our Lord goes further, and says (Matthew 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these (temporal) things shall be added unto you." Vulgate, "Nothing that happens can make a just man sorrowful;" for he knows it is all for the best, and he looks toward another life, where all seeming anomalies will be cleared up. Septuagint, "The just man takes pleasure in naught that is unjust." The wicked shall be filled with mischief; rather, with evil, moral and physical (Psalm 32:10). The Old Testament takes a general view of God's moral government without regarding special anomalies. Proverbs 12:21 contrasts two destinies. God guarantees that no lasting harm can touch those who live uprightly, while trouble saturates the lives of the wicked. The verse invites us to rest in divine protection, pursue righteousness, and avoid the sorrow-laden path of sin. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Noלֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no harm אָ֑וֶן (’ā·wen) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol befalls יְאֻנֶּ֣ה (yə·’un·neh) Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 579: To be opportune, to meet, encounter opportunely the righteous, לַצַּדִּ֣יק (laṣ·ṣad·dîq) Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous but the wicked וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים (ū·rə·šā·‘îm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person are filled מָ֣לְאוּ (mā·lə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of with trouble. רָֽע׃ (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil Additonal Resources Proverbs 12:21 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 12:21 Bible Gateway Proverbs 12:21 Bible.com Proverbs 12:21 NIV |



