The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
The wicked will pay the price for the righteous, and those who do wrong will suffer instead of those who do right.
This verse teaches that God will ultimately protect good people by letting evil people face the consequences meant for them.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of ancient Israelite wisdom literature, Proverbs 21:18 reflects the belief that God's justice ensures the wicked will ultimately pay the price for the righteous to be spared or rewarded. This proverb is part of a collection attributed to King Solomon, emphasizing moral order in a world where righteousness leads to protection. Such sayings were used to instruct young people in ethical living amidst the cultural norms of the ancient Near East.
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