Proverbs 21:14
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
- KJV
- A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
- WEB
- A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
- ASV
- A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
- DARBY
- A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
- BLB
- A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong rage.
- ÅB
- En gave i lønndom stiller vrede, og en hemmelig foræring stiller stor harme.
- OTB
- En gave gitt i hemmelighet demper sinne, og en bestikkelse skjult i kappen stiller sterk vrede.
- B1930
- En gave i lønndom stiller vrede, og en hemmelig foræring stiller stor harme.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 19:6
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
Read in contextProverbs 18:16
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
Read in contextProverbs 17:8
A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
Read in contextMatthew 6:3–4
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Read in context1 Samuel 25:35
Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”
Read in contextProverbs 17:23
A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
Read in contextGenesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
Read in contextGenesis 32:20
You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”
Read in context