Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 28:21 - 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 show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. "
Proverbs 28:21
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
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A serious mistake in justice is to care more about the people involved than about what is right in the case. A judge may favor one side because he is educated, wealthy, from his own country, an old friend, someone who once helped him, or someone who may help him later. He may also lean against the other side because that person is a stranger, poor, a rival, disagrees with him, or voted against him. Once any of these things enter the decision, judgment is no longer fair. Only what is truly right should count.
People who become partial often grow low and cheap in their choices. At first, it may take a large bribe or costly gift to sway them. But after they have damaged their conscience, they may become so degraded that they will sell justice for almost nothing, even for a piece of bread. Once they have gone that far, they will take any small advantage rather than stand firm.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 28:1
"The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:2
"In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge."
Proverbs 28:3
"A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops."
Proverbs 28:4
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:5
"Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully."
Proverbs 28:6
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich."
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