Proverbs 20:21

An inheritance gained easily ¹  in the beginning will not be blessed ²  in the end. ³ 

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.

An inheritance obtained early in life is not a blessing in the end.

A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.

An estate quickly acquired in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.

An inheritance gained easily ¹  in the beginning will not be blessed ²  in the end. ³ 

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”).

sn If the inheritance is obtained quickly, it could mean prematurely (e.g., Luke 15:12) or cruelly (Prov 19:26). The inheritance is gained without labor or without preparation.

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

sn The Hebrew verb means “enriched, made fruitful, prospered.” Whatever the inheritance was, it will not reach its full potential or even remain permanent.

³ tn Heb “in its end”; KJV, ASV “the end thereof.”