KJV: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
ASV: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Matthew Henry Commentary
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Observe, 1. That confederacies in sin shall certainly be broken, and shall not avail to protect the sinners: Though hand join in hand, though there are many that concur by their practice to keep wickedness in countenance, and engage to stand by one another in defending it against all the attacks of virtue and justice,--though they are in league for the support and propagation of it,--though wicked children tread in the steps of their wicked parents, and resolve to keep up the trade, in defiance of religion,--yet all this will not protect them from the justice of God; they shall not be held guiltless; it will not excuse them to say that they did as the most did and as their company did; they shall not be unpunished; witness the flood that was brought upon a whole world of ungodly men. Their number, and strength, and unanimity in sin will stand them in no stead when the day of vengeance comes. 2. That entails of religion shall certainly be blessed: The seed of the righteous, that follow the steps of their righteousness, though they may fall into trouble, shall, in due time, be delivered. Though justice may come slowly to punish the wicked, and mercy may come slowly to save the righteous, yet both will come surely. Sometimes the seed of the righteous, though they are not themselves righteous, are delivered for the sake of their godly ancestors, as Israel often, and the seed of David.
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