Text -- Proverbs 21:15 (NET)

21:15 Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Pro 21:15

¹ tn The Qal infinitive construct עֲשׂוֹת (’asot) functions as the subject of the sentence.

² tn The term “brings” is supplied in the translation; many English versions supply a simple copula (“is”).

³ sn The noun means “terror (NAB, NASB, NIV), destruction (KJV, ASV), ruin (cf. NCV).” Its related verb means “be shattered, dismayed.” The idea of “dismay” (NRSV) or “terror” would make the better choice to contrast with “joy” in the first line, but “ruin” is also possible. Whenever justice prevails, whether in the courts or simply in society, the people who practice iniquity may be shaken into reality by fear (cf. CEV “crooks are terrified”).