Proverbs 20:21

20:21 An inheritance gained easily ¹  in the beginning

will not be blessed ²  in the end. ³ 

[20:21]  ¹ tc The Kethib reads מְבֻחֶלֶת (mÿbukhelet), “gotten by greed” (based on a cognate Syriac verb, “to be greedy”); but the Qere is מְבֹהֶלֶת (mÿvohelet), “gotten hastily [or, quickly].” A large number of mss and the ancient versions read with the Qere (cf. KJV, ASV “gotten hastily”; NAB “gained hastily”; NIV “quickly gained”; NRSV “quickly acquired”).

[20:21]  ² tn The form is the Pual imperfect, “will not be blessed,” suggesting that divine justice is at work.

[20:21]  ³ tn Heb “in its end”; KJV, ASV “the end thereof.”