Bible Strands
Proverbs 12:21
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses the reader with general wisdom observations about daily conduct. The verse contrasts the outcomes for two distinct groups within a single proverbial statement.
The words — The Hebrew אָוֶן ('A.ven) denotes "trouble," while מָלְאוּ (Mal.'u) literally means "they are full." The text asserts that trouble completely fills the wicked, whereas the righteous experience no such harm.
The thread — This pattern of divine protection for the faithful appears in Psalms 91:10 and 1 Peter 3:13, while Romans 8:28 extends the principle to God working all things for the good of believers.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear-eyed assessment of moral alignment and its direct consequences. It requires the reader to choose the path of righteousness to avoid the trouble that inevitably fills the wicked.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:13 Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
- Psalms 91:10 no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Proverbs 1:31 So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
- Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
- Jeremiah 13:12 Therefore you are to tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Every wineskin shall be filled with wine.’ And when they reply, ‘Don’t we surely know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?’
- 1 Corinthians 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,
- Revelation 18:6 Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
- Habakkuk 2:16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.