Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 21:3 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. "
Proverbs 21:3
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
1 The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
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Many people deceive themselves by thinking that if they offer a sacrifice, that will make up for injustice. They imagine religious acts can excuse wrongdoing and give them permission to live unfairly. That is part of what makes a person's way seem right, even when it is not (Proverbs 21:2). People say, “We have fasted” (Isaiah 58:3), or, “I have fellowship offerings with me” (Proverbs 7:14).
But the truth is clear: living rightly, doing what is just, and showing mercy please God more than the most impressive and costly acts of worship. Sacrifices were appointed by God and were acceptable when offered in faith and repentance, but not otherwise (Isaiah 1:11). Even then, moral obedience came before sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), which shows that sacrifices were never valuable in themselves, nor were they meant to remain the main duty forever (Micah 6:6-8).
Much of true religion is doing justice and fairness from duty to God, with little regard for the world’s praise, and with love for our neighbor. This is more pleasing to God than all burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:33).
From This Chapter
Proverbs 21:1
"The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."
Proverbs 21:2
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts."
Proverbs 21:4
"A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin."
Proverbs 21:5
"The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty."
Proverbs 21:6
"Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death."
Proverbs 21:7
"The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right."
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