Proverbs 29:21

21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.

Proverbs 29:21 in Other Translations

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.

21 A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel.

21 If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last.

21 Pamper a slave from childhood, and later he will be ungrateful.

21 A slave pampered from his youth will become arrogant later on.

21 If you spoil your servant while he is young, he will bring you sorrow later on.

Proverbs 29:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:21

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child
In a very tender and affluent way uses him with great familiarity; makes him sit at table, with him, feeds him with dainties, and clothes him in the most handsome manner, as if he was one of his own children: shall have him become [his] son at the length:
he will expect to be used as a son; he will not care to do any servile work, or anything, especially that is hard and laborious; he will be for supplanting the son and heir, and think to inherit all himself; or, however, become proud, haughty, and saucy. Jarchi interprets this of the evil imagination, or the corruption of nature, which is in a man from a child; which, if cherished and not subdued, wilt in the issue rule over a man: and some apply it to the body; which, if delicately pampered, and not kept under, will be master of the soul, instead of servant to it, and its members be instruments of unrighteousness.

Proverbs 29:21 In-Context

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.