Proverbs 13:21 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 13:21 mean?

Proverbs 13:21 says that trouble and harm chase after those who do wrong, but those who live rightly will eventually receive good in return. The verse draws a clear line between the outcomes for people who act wickedly and those who act righteously.

This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, directed to anyone seeking wisdom for daily life. The verse uses everyday language to show that actions have consequences: wrongdoing tends to bring negative results, while right living leads to positive outcomes, even if not immediately.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 13:21

• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word often means not just moral evil, but also harm, trouble, or misfortune. Here, it suggests that bad consequences actively pursue those who do wrong.
• "Pursueth" (רָדַף, radaf): This word means to chase or hunt down. The image is of trouble not just happening by chance, but actually chasing after sinners.
• "Repayed" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to make whole, repay, or restore. The idea is that good is not just given, but paid back or returned to the righteous, as if settling a debt.

Why Proverbs 13:21 matters

• Proverbs 13:21 clarifies that the results of our actions are not random; there is a built-in connection between how we live and what we experience.
• The verse emphasizes that good outcomes for the righteous are not always instant, but they are certain, using the idea of repayment to stress fairness and certainty.
• This proverb fits into a larger biblical theme that wisdom and righteousness lead to lasting benefit, while wrongdoing brings its own trouble, reinforcing the practical value of wise living.