Isaiah 32:6 kjv
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
Isaiah 32:6 nkjv
For the foolish person will speak foolishness, And his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, To utter error against the LORD, To keep the hungry unsatisfied, And he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
Isaiah 32:6 niv
For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.
Isaiah 32:6 esv
For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
Isaiah 32:6 nlt
For fools speak foolishness
and make evil plans.
They practice ungodliness
and spread false teachings about the LORD.
They deprive the hungry of food
and give no water to the thirsty.
Isaiah 32 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 32:6 | "The fear of the Lord is his treasure." | Isa 33:6 |
| Proverbs 10:2 | "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death." | Prov 10:2 |
| Proverbs 11:4 | "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." | Prov 11:4 |
| Psalm 112:3 | "Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." | Ps 112:3 |
| Jeremiah 17:11 | "As a partridge hatches chicks she did not hatch, so he who unjustly gains riches, deserts them in the midst of his days, and at his end will be a fool." | Jer 17:11 |
| Matthew 6:20 | "but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." | Mt 6:20 |
| Romans 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Rom 6:23 |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." | 1 Cor 6:19-20 |
| Philippians 3:7-8 | "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." | Phil 3:7-8 |
| Ephesians 5:8 | "for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" | Eph 5:8 |
| Colossians 3:5 | "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is an idol of the heart." | Col 3:5 |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like..." | Gal 5:19-21 |
| 1 John 3:10 | "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." | 1 John 3:10 |
| Psalm 1:1-3 | "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither..." | Ps 1:1-3 |
| Proverbs 3:13-18 | "Blessed are the people who find wisdom, the people who gain understanding, for wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields far more than gold. She takes you on a right path, and leads you to safety. She guides you in wisdom and justice." | Prov 3:13-18 |
| Jeremiah 17:7-8 | "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends its roots by the stream; it does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no anxiety in year of drought..." | Jer 17:7-8 |
| Isaiah 5:11-12 | "Woe to those who wake early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late into the night till they have drunk too much wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, pipes and lyres and continually play music; but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord..." | Isa 5:11-12 |
| Luke 12:15 | "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an overflowing possession of good things.” | Lk 12:15 |
| Acts 2:45-47 | "and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any one might need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they ate their food with glad and simple hearts, praising God..." | Acts 2:45-47 |
| Proverbs 2:4-6 | "and if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." | Prov 2:4-6 |
| Luke 16:10-11 | "Whoever is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" | Lk 16:10-11 |
Isaiah 32 verses
Isaiah 32 6 Meaning
The verse states that wickedness brings ruin, while righteousness offers a secure future. It highlights that foolish or wicked actions will lead to destruction, whereas upright living is associated with divine protection and enduring benefit.
Isaiah 32 6 Context
This verse is situated within a larger prophecy by Isaiah concerning future judgment and restoration. Chapter 32 particularly focuses on the corrupt leadership and the subsequent distress that will befall Judah. However, it pivots to a promise of future, righteous leadership and blessing. The "foolish" or "wicked" person in this context represents those who promote and engage in sin and injustice, whose deceptive or harmful plans lead to their own downfall. The righteous person, by contrast, embraces God's wisdom and integrity, finding lasting security and prosperity. The surrounding verses paint a stark contrast between societal ruin caused by ungodliness and the peace and stability that will characterize God's redeemed kingdom.
Isaiah 32 6 Word Analysis
חָוָה (chavah): This verb means "to fool," "to deal foolishly," or "to act foolishly." It can also imply deceptive or ruinous action.
בְּסוּסָה (besusah): Likely meaning "by sustenance" or "by that which is substantial." It emphasizes the foundation or basis of action or understanding.
נֶעְתָּמִים (ne'tamim): This participle refers to those who are "emptied," "weak," or "enfeebled." It suggests a state of inner hollowness or lack of spiritual substance due to wickedness.
עוֹלַל (olal): Meaning "to do," "to perform," or "to work." It refers to the actions or deeds performed.
בֶּצַע (betza): This noun signifies "gain," especially ill-gotten or unjust gain, hence "robbery" or "profit derived from extortion."
אָנְשֵׁי (anshei): Literally "men of," implying people characterized by or associated with.
צֶדֶק (tsedek): "Righteousness," "justice," or "uprightness." This denotes conformity to God's moral standard.
לִשְׁעִי (lishi): Derived from "to rest," "to lean on," or "to trust." It indicates reliance or confidence.
נִצְּרָה (nitzerah): This verb comes from "to guard," "to protect," or "to preserve." It suggests being kept safe or secured.
"For the mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Implied): Although not explicitly in the verse, this is a common prophetic formula in Isaiah, indicating the divine origin and certainty of the statement.
"Treasures of vanity": The idea of wealth or gain acquired through wicked or deceptive means being ultimately empty and worthless, leading to ruin.
"The heart of fools": This phrase contrasts the internal disposition of the wicked with the fear of the Lord that constitutes true spiritual wealth.
"Works of injustice and gain": Emphasizes that the foundation of foolishness is not merely ignorance but active engagement in actions that are morally wrong and exploitative.
"And by the sustenance of righteousness is preserved": The counterpoint that true preservation and security are found not in material possessions but in adhering to God's righteous ways.
Isaiah 32 6 Bonus Section
The concept of "treasure" in the Bible often refers to something highly valued. While worldly treasures are transient and susceptible to loss (Matthew 6:19), the "treasure" of righteousness, rooted in the fear of the Lord, is eternal and secure. This verse reflects a recurring theme in Proverbs and other wisdom literature, emphasizing that character and relationship with God are far more valuable than material wealth or clever deceit. The ruin of the foolish is a consequence of building their lives on sand, whereas the righteous are grounded on solid rock. Scholars have noted the parallel in other ancient Near Eastern wisdom texts that also highlight the folly of injustice and the ultimate reward of righteousness, but the biblical perspective is unique in its grounding in covenant relationship with the sovereign God. The specific Hebrew phrasing implies that the actions of the wicked are inherently flawed in their substance and purpose, leading to a superficial emptiness rather than true fulfillment.
Isaiah 32 6 Commentary
This verse contrasts two fundamental principles governing human life: wickedness and righteousness. The wicked, driven by self-serving "gain" and foolish actions, are ultimately exposed and emptied of substance, leading to ruin. Their entire approach is based on deceitful "sustenance" or "profit," which cannot endure. Conversely, righteousness is presented not just as correct behavior, but as a profound orientation of the heart. Those who pursue justice and uprightness find that it is their true "sustenance" and the foundation upon which their lives are "preserved." The fear of the Lord, which informs genuine righteousness, becomes their ultimate treasure, providing lasting security that material gain cannot offer. This principle operates on a personal, societal, and ultimately, eschatological level, pointing towards the ultimate triumph of God's justice.