Proverbs 27:21 web — The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.

World English Bible

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise."

— Proverbs 27:21, World English Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 27:21 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 27 — Context

18

Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.

19

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

20

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied.

21

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.

22

Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

23

Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:

24

for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations.

Proverbs 27:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 27:21 say?
Proverbs 27:21 in the World English Bible reads: “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.”
Where is Proverbs 27:21 in the Bible?
Proverbs 27:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 21.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 27:21.
What translation should I read Proverbs 27:21 in?
Proverbs 27:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 27:21?
Proverbs 27:21 reads (WEB): “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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