Proverbs 21:6
New International Version
A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

New Living Translation
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

English Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

Berean Standard Bible
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

King James Bible
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

New King James Version
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

New American Standard Bible
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

NASB 1995
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

NASB 1977
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

Legacy Standard Bible
Working for treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting breath, by those who pursue death.

Amplified Bible
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

Christian Standard Bible
Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

American Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.

Contemporary English Version
Cheating to get rich is a foolish dream and no less than suicide.

English Revised Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who gather wealth by lying are wasting time. They are looking for death.

Good News Translation
The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.

International Standard Version
A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

Majority Standard Bible
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

NET Bible
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.

New Heart English Bible
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

Webster's Bible Translation
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.

World English Bible
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, "" [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

Young's Literal Translation
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, Is a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

Smith's Literal Translation
The making treasures by the tongue of falsehood is vanity scattered from those seeking death.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.

New American Bible
Trying to get rich by lying is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.

New Revised Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The getting of treasure by a lying tongue will bring destruction and death to those who seek it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The effect of a treasure by a lying tongue is even unto destruction; those that seek death will be overthrown.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.…

Cross References
James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

Mark 8:36
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”

Micah 6:10-12
Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? / Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? / For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

Habakkuk 2:6-9
Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’ / Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey. / Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers. ...

Psalm 62:10
Place no trust in extortion or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

Proverbs 13:11
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Ezekiel 22:13
Now look, I strike My hands together against your unjust gain and against the blood you have shed in your midst.


Treasury of Scripture

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

getting

Proverbs 10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Proverbs 20:14,21
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth…

seek

Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Jump to Previous
Acquisition Breath Deadly Death Driven False. Fleeting Fortune Fro Gets Getting Lying Pursuit Seek Seeking Snare Stores Tongue Tossed Treasures Vanity Vapor Vapour Wealth
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Acquisition Breath Deadly Death Driven False. Fleeting Fortune Fro Gets Getting Lying Pursuit Seek Seeking Snare Stores Tongue Tossed Treasures Vanity Vapor Vapour Wealth
Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














Making a fortune
The phrase "making a fortune" refers to the accumulation of wealth or material gain. In the Hebrew context, the word for "fortune" often implies abundance or prosperity. Historically, wealth was seen as a sign of God's blessing, but the method of acquiring it was crucial. The Bible consistently emphasizes that wealth gained through righteous means is honorable, while ill-gotten gains are condemned. This phrase sets the stage for the moral evaluation of how wealth is obtained.

by a lying tongue
The "lying tongue" is a metaphor for deceit and falsehood. In Hebrew, the word for "lying" can also mean false or deceptive. The tongue, as a symbol of speech, is powerful and can be used for both good and evil. The Bible frequently warns against deceit, as it is contrary to God's nature, who is truth. Historically, deceitful practices in trade and communication were common, and this proverb serves as a warning against such behavior. The emphasis here is on the moral and spiritual consequences of using deceit to gain wealth.

is a fleeting vapor
The imagery of a "fleeting vapor" conveys the transient and insubstantial nature of wealth gained through deceit. In Hebrew, the word for "vapor" can also mean breath or mist, emphasizing something that is temporary and quickly vanishes. This reflects the biblical teaching that material wealth is temporary and cannot provide lasting satisfaction or security. The use of this imagery serves as a reminder of the futility of pursuing wealth through dishonest means, as it will not endure.

a deadly pursuit
The phrase "a deadly pursuit" highlights the dangerous and destructive nature of seeking wealth through deceit. In Hebrew, the word for "deadly" can imply something that leads to death or ruin. This serves as a stark warning that such pursuits not only fail to provide lasting gain but also lead to spiritual and sometimes physical destruction. The Bible consistently teaches that the love of money and dishonest gain can lead to moral decay and separation from God. This phrase underscores the ultimate consequence of choosing deceit over integrity.

(6) Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.--Rather, is (as) the driven (fleeting) breath of those who are seeking death. They are seeking in reality not riches, but death, and these riches will vanish like their own breath. (Comp. Wisdom Of Solomon 5:14; Psalm 68:2).

Verse 6. - The getting of treasures by a lying tongue - the acquisition of wealth by fraud and falsehood - is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The latter clause is variously rendered and interpreted. The Hebrew is literally, a fleeting breath, those seeking death. The Revised Version makes the last words a separate proposition, "They that seek them seek death." But this seems unnecessary, and somewhat opposed to the gnomic style, which often combines two predicates in one construction; and there is no reason why we should not render the words, as in the Authorized Version, "of seekers of death." Such a mode of obtaining wealth is as evanescent and unstable as the very breath, and ends in death, which is practically the result of their quest. Thus Wisd. 5:14, "The hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with the tempest, and passeth away. as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day." Some think that the comparison regards the mirage of the desert, which deceives travellers with the phantasms of cool waters and refreshing shade. Such an allusion is found in Isaiah 35:7. The Talmud enjoins, "Speak no word that accords not with the truth, that thy honour may not vanish as the waters of a brook." The Septuagint and Vulgate have followed a different reading (מוק שׁי־מות), and render thus: Vulgate, Vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis, "He is vain and foolish, and will be taken in the snares of death;" Septuagint, "pursues vain things unto the snares of death (ἐπὶ παγίδας)" (Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 14:27). So St. Paul says (1 Timothy 6:9), "They that desire to be rich fall into a into a temptation and a snare (παγίδα), and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Making
פֹּ֣עַל (pō·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work

a fortune
א֭וֹצָרוֹת (’ō·w·ṣā·rō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 214: Treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse

by a lying
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

tongue
בִּלְשׁ֣וֹן (bil·šō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

is a vanishing
נִ֝דָּ֗ף (nid·dāp̄)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5086: To shove asunder, disperse

mist,
הֶ֥בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory

a deadly
מָֽוֶת׃ (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

pursuit.
מְבַקְשֵׁי־ (mə·ḇaq·šê-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue (Prov. Pro Pr)
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