Parallel Verses
Amplified
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],
And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].
New American Standard Bible
And each
King James Version
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
Holman Bible
and a man for the words of his praise.
International Standard Version
As the crucible tests silver, and the furnace assays gold; so praise received tests a man.
A Conservative Version
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is [tried] by his praise.
American Standard Version
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise.
Bible in Basic English
The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, and a man is measured by what he is praised for.
Darby Translation
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; so let a man be to the mouth that praiseth him.
Julia Smith Translation
The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man to the mouth praising him.
King James 2000
As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man judged by his praise.
Lexham Expanded Bible
A crucible [is] for the silver, and a furnace for the gold, but a man [is tested by] the mouth of him who praises him.
Modern King James verseion
As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his praise.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Silver is tried in the mould, and gold in the furnace, and so is a man, when he is openly praised to his face.
NET Bible
As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, so a person is proved by the praise he receives.
New Heart English Bible
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
The Emphasized Bible
Fining pot for silver, and crucible for gold, and, a man, is to be tried by what he praiseth.
Webster
As the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
World English Bible
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
Youngs Literal Translation
A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And a man according to his praise.
Themes
Interlinear
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 27:21
Verse Info
Context Readings
All About Life
20
Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the underworld) are never satisfied;
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],
And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].
Even though you pound a [hardened, arrogant] fool [who rejects wisdom] in a mortar with a pestle like grain,
Yet his foolishness will not leave him.
Phrases
Cross References
Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
1 Samuel 18:7-8
The women sang as they played and danced, saying,
And David his ten thousands.”
1 Samuel 18:15-16
When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18:30
Then the Philistine commanders (princes) came out to battle, and it happened as often as they did, that David acted more wisely and had more success than all Saul’s servants. So his name was highly esteemed.
2 Samuel 14:25
Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised [for that]; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
2 Samuel 15:6-12
This is how Absalom dealt with everyone in Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Psalm 12:6
The words and promises of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
Psalm 66:10
For You have tested us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
Zechariah 13:9
“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will listen and answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Malachi 3:3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord [grain] offerings in righteousness.
1 Peter 1:7
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.