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THE MESSAGE
Proverbs 21:6
Make it to the top by lying and cheating; get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death!
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Making a fortune through a lying tongueis a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
Making a fortune through a lying tongueis a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
Hebrew Names Version
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
King James Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
English Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
New American Standard Bible
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
New Century Version
Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a mist and leads to death.
Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a mist and leads to death.
Amplified Bible
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
World English Bible
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Geneva Bible (1587)
The gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
The gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
Legacy Standard Bible
Working for treasures by a lying tongueIs a fleeting breath, by those who pursue death.
Working for treasures by a lying tongueIs a fleeting breath, by those who pursue death.
Berean Standard Bible
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
Contemporary English Version
Cheating to get rich is a foolish dream and no less than suicide.
Cheating to get rich is a foolish dream and no less than suicide.
Complete Jewish Bible
A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
Darby Translation
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
Easy-to-Read Version
Wealth that comes from telling lies disappears quickly and leads to death.
Wealth that comes from telling lies disappears quickly and leads to death.
George Lamsa Translation
The getting of treasure by a lying tongue will bring destruction and death to those who seek it.
The getting of treasure by a lying tongue will bring destruction and death to those who seek it.
Good News Translation
The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
Lexham English Bible
He who makes treasure by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and seeker of death.
He who makes treasure by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and seeker of death.
Literal Translation
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven by those who seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven by those who seek death.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Who so hoordeth vp riches wt ye disceatfulnes of his tonge, he is a foole, & like vnto them that seke their owne death.
Who so hoordeth vp riches wt ye disceatfulnes of his tonge, he is a foole, & like vnto them that seke their owne death.
American Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
Bible in Basic English
He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
King James Version (1611)
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
To hoorde vp riches with a deceiptfull tongue, is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
To hoorde vp riches with a deceiptfull tongue, is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.
English Revised Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He that gaderith tresours bi the tunge of a leesing, is veyne, and with outen herte; and he schal be hurtlid to the snaris of deth.
He that gaderith tresours bi the tunge of a leesing, is veyne, and with outen herte; and he schal be hurtlid to the snaris of deth.
Update Bible Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by those that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by those that seek death.
Webster's Bible Translation
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
New English Translation
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.
New King James Version
Getting treasures by a lying tongueIs the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. [fn]
Getting treasures by a lying tongueIs the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. [fn]
New Living Translation
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
New Life Bible
Getting riches by a lying tongue is like a passing cloud, and leads to death.
Getting riches by a lying tongue is like a passing cloud, and leads to death.
New Revised Standard
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, they who seek them seek death,
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, they who seek them seek death,
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
Revised Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Young's Literal Translation
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
Contextual Overview
6 Make it to the top by lying and cheating; get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death!
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
getting: Proverbs 10:2, Proverbs 13:11, Proverbs 20:14, Proverbs 20:21, Proverbs 22:8, Proverbs 30:8, Jeremiah 17:11, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, Titus 1:11, 2 Peter 2:3
seek: Proverbs 8:36, Ezekiel 18:31
Reciprocal: Psalms 10:7 - vanity Proverbs 4:7 - with Proverbs 16:8 - great Isaiah 10:14 - And my Micah 6:10 - the treasures Ephesians 4:25 - putting
Cross-References
Genesis 17:17
Abraham fell flat on his face. And then he laughed, thinking, "Can a hundred-year-old man father a son? And can Sarah, at ninety years, have a baby?"
Abraham fell flat on his face. And then he laughed, thinking, "Can a hundred-year-old man father a son? And can Sarah, at ninety years, have a baby?"
Genesis 21:22
At about that same time, Abimelech and the captain of his troops, Phicol, spoke to Abraham: "No matter what you do, God is on your side. So swear to me that you won't do anything underhanded to me or any of my family. For as long as you live here, swear that you'll treat me and my land as well as I've treated you."
At about that same time, Abimelech and the captain of his troops, Phicol, spoke to Abraham: "No matter what you do, God is on your side. So swear to me that you won't do anything underhanded to me or any of my family. For as long as you live here, swear that you'll treat me and my land as well as I've treated you."
Genesis 21:27
So the two of them made a covenant. Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. Abraham set aside seven sheep from his flock.
So the two of them made a covenant. Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. Abraham set aside seven sheep from his flock.
Isaiah 49:15
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God"— God 's Decree— "you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride.
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God"— God 's Decree— "you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride.
Isaiah 54:1
"Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who've never experienced childbirth! You're ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women." God says so! "Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities. Don't be afraid—you're not going to be embarrassed. Don't hold back—you're not going to come up short. You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory. For your Maker is your bridegroom, his name, God -of-the-Angel-Armies! Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel, known as God of the whole earth. You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief, and God welcomed you back, Like a woman married young and then left," says your God.
"Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who've never experienced childbirth! You're ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women." God says so! "Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities. Don't be afraid—you're not going to be embarrassed. Don't hold back—you're not going to come up short. You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory. For your Maker is your bridegroom, his name, God -of-the-Angel-Armies! Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel, known as God of the whole earth. You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief, and God welcomed you back, Like a woman married young and then left," says your God.
Hebrews 11:11
By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.
By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue,.... By telling lies in trade; by bearing false witness in a court of judicature; or by preaching false doctrines in the church of God:
[is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death: such treasures, though ever so great, are like any light thing, smoke or vapour, straw, stubble, chaff, or a feather, tossed about the wind; which is expressive of the instability uncertainty of riches ill gotten; they do not last long, but are taken away and carried off by one providence or another; and they are likewise harmful and pernicious; they issue in death: and those that seek after them, and obtain them in a bad way, are said to "seek death": not intentionally, but eventually; this they certainly find, if grace prevent not; see Proverbs 8:36. Jarchi reads it, they are the "snares of death" to him; and so the Septuagint version.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Vanity - Or, “a breath driven to and fro of those that are seeking death.” Another reading of the last words is: “of the snares of death” (compare 1 Timothy 6:9). Some commentators have suggested that the “vapor” or “mist” is the mirage of the desert, misleading those who follow it, and becoming a “net of death.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Proverbs 21:6. Of them that seek death — Instead of מבקשי mebakshey, "them that seek," several MSS., some ancient editions, with Symmachus, the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Arabic, have מקשי mokeshey, the snares. He who gets treasures by a lying tongue, pursues vanity into the snares of death. Our common translation may be as good. But he who, by the snares of his tongue, endeavours to buy and sell to the best advantage, is pursuing what is empty in itself; and he is ensnared by death, while he is attempting to ensnare others.
