Proverbs 21:26

All day long he craves greedily, ¹  but the righteous gives and does not hold back. ² 

Ps 37:26; Ps 112:9; Lu 6:30-36; Ac 20:33-35; Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7-9; 2Co 9:9-14; 1Th 2:5-9

¹ tn The construction uses the Hitpael perfect tense הִתְאַוָּה (hit’avvah) followed by the cognate accusative תַאֲוָה (ta’avah). It describes one who is consumed with craving for more. The verse has been placed with the preceding because of the literary connection with “desire/craving.”

² sn The additional clause, “and does not hold back,” emphasizes that when the righteous gives he gives freely, without fearing that his generosity will bring him to poverty. This is the contrast with the one who is self-indulgent and craves for more.