Proverbs 21:14
New International Version
A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

New Living Translation
A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

English Standard Version
A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

Berean Standard Bible
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

King James Bible
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

New King James Version
A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

New American Standard Bible
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in an inside pocket, strong wrath.

NASB 1995
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

NASB 1977
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

Legacy Standard Bible
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

Amplified Bible
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.

Christian Standard Bible
A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

American Standard Version
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

Contemporary English Version
A secret bribe will save you from someone's fierce anger.

English Revised Version
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A gift [given] in secret calms anger, and a secret bribe calms great fury.

Good News Translation
If someone is angry with you, a gift given secretly will calm him down.

International Standard Version
Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.

Majority Standard Bible
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

NET Bible
A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.

New Heart English Bible
A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

Webster's Bible Translation
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath.

World English Bible
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A gift in secret pacifies anger, "" And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.

Young's Literal Translation
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

Smith's Literal Translation
Giving in secret will subdue anger: and a gift in the bosom, strong wrath.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.

New American Bible
A secret gift allays anger, and a present concealed, violent wrath.

New Revised Standard Version
A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A gift in secret pacifies anger; but he who is sparing with his gifts stirs wrath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A gift in secret removes wrath and he that spares giving arouses anger.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a present in the bosom strong wrath.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Genesis 32:20-21
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.” / So Jacob’s gifts went on before him, while he spent the night in the camp.

1 Samuel 25:18-35
Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys / and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. / As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them. ...

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Genesis 33:10-11
But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. / Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.

Luke 16:9
I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Proverbs 18:16
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ...

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Proverbs 17:8
A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.


Treasury of Scripture

A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

gift

Proverbs 21:17,8,23
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich…

Proverbs 18:16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 19:6
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

in secret

Matthew 6:3,4
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: …

Jump to Previous
Anger Angry Bosom Bribe Cloak Concealed Feelings Folds Gift Great Heat Money Offering Pacifieth Present Reward Robe Secret Strong Subdues Turned Vehement Wrath
Jump to Next
Anger Angry Bosom Bribe Cloak Concealed Feelings Folds Gift Great Heat Money Offering Pacifieth Present Reward Robe Secret Strong Subdues Turned Vehement Wrath
Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














A gift in secret
The phrase "A gift in secret" suggests an offering given discreetly, away from public view. In the Hebrew context, the word for "gift" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah) often implies a present or offering that is given voluntarily. The secrecy of the gift underscores the intention behind it—perhaps to avoid public scrutiny or to ensure that the act is not seen as self-serving. Historically, gifts were often used to build alliances or mend relationships, and the discretion here suggests a focus on genuine reconciliation rather than public acknowledgment.

soothes anger
The Hebrew word for "soothes" (יָכִיךְ, yakhik) can also mean to calm or appease. Anger, in this context, is seen as a powerful emotion that can disrupt relationships and communities. The verse suggests that a well-timed, discreet gift has the power to calm such emotions, highlighting the importance of wisdom and tact in interpersonal relationships. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of peacemaking and the value of maintaining harmony.

and a covert bribe
The term "covert bribe" introduces a more complex ethical dimension. The Hebrew word for "bribe" (שֹׁחַד, shochad) typically carries a negative connotation, often associated with corruption or injustice. However, in this context, the emphasis is on the covert nature of the bribe, suggesting a nuanced understanding of human interactions. While the Bible generally condemns bribery, this verse acknowledges the reality of human nature and the ways in which discreet actions can sometimes lead to peace.

pacifies great wrath
The phrase "pacifies great wrath" speaks to the potential of a discreet offering to defuse intense anger. The Hebrew word for "pacifies" (יָשִׁיב, yashiv) means to turn back or bring to rest. "Great wrath" indicates a level of anger that is overwhelming and potentially destructive. The verse suggests that wisdom involves knowing how to address such emotions effectively, often through subtle and thoughtful actions. This reflects the biblical principle of using discernment and understanding to foster peace and reconciliation.

(14) A gift in secret.--Comp. Abigail and David (1Samuel 25:18).

Verse 14. - A gift in secret pacifieth anger. We have had above various maxims about bribes and presents; e.g. Proverbs 17:8, 23; Proverbs 18:16. The word translated "pacifieth" is from the ἅπαξ λεγόμενον verb כֵפָה, "to turn away," "avert." Septuagint, ἀνατρέπει; Vulgate, extinguit; Venetian, κάμψει. A gift offered secretly to one incensed, whether personal enemy, judge, or prince, averts the consequences of the offence. The next hemistich is parallel in meaning. And a reward (present) in the bosom strong wrath. A present kept handy in the bosom of the petitioner's garment, ready to be transferred at a fitting moment, as experience proves, calms the most violent wrath. Septuagint, "He that is sparing of gifts amuses strong wrath."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A gift
מַתָּ֣ן (mat·tān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4976: A present

in secret
בַּ֭סֵּתֶר (bas·sê·ṯer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy

soothes
יִכְפֶּה־ (yiḵ·peh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3711: To bend, to tame, subdue

anger,
אָ֑ף (’āp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

and a covert
בַּ֝חֵ֗ק (ba·ḥêq)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2436: The bosom

bribe
וְשֹׁ֥חַד (wə·šō·ḥaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7810: A present, bribe

[pacifies] great
עַזָּֽה׃ (‘az·zāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 5794: Strong, vehement, harsh

wrath.
חֵמָ֥ה (ḥê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison


Links
Proverbs 21:14 NIV
Proverbs 21:14 NLT
Proverbs 21:14 ESV
Proverbs 21:14 NASB
Proverbs 21:14 KJV

Proverbs 21:14 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 21:14 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 21:14 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 21:14 French Bible
Proverbs 21:14 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret pacifies anger (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 21:13
Top of Page
Top of Page