Proverbs 1:19
17 How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives.
Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
21 in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech:
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
- KJV
- So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
- WEB
- So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
- ASV
- So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
- DARBY
- So are the paths of every one that is greedy of gain: it taketh away the life of its possessors.
- BLB
- Such [are] the ways of everyone being greedy for dishonest gain—the soul of its masters it takes away.
- ÅB
- Så går det hver den som søker urettferdig vinning; den tar livet av sine egne herrer.
- OTB
- Slik er veiene for alle som er grådige etter urettferdig vinning; det tar livet av dem som forfølger det.
- B1930
- Så går det hver den som søker urettferdig vinning; den tar livet av sine egne herrer.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Read in context2 Peter 2:3
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
Read in contextProverbs 23:3–4
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Read in contextJeremiah 22:17–19
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
Read in contextHabakkuk 2:9
Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster!
Read in contextMicah 2:1–3
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.
Read in contextJames 5:1–4
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
Read in context