Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
Parallel translations
- KJV Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
- BSB Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
- NKJV Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
- NASB Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
- NLT Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Deceit fills the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy comes to those who promote peace. Peacemaking brings gladness; scheming breeds deception.
Overview
The proverb contrasts the deceitful hearts of evil plotters with the joy belonging to those who counsel and pursue peace. Inner character produces either treachery or gladness. This points toward the blessedness Christ pronounced on peacemakers, who are called children of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- 1 Pet 3:8–13Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, courteous,
- Jer 17:16As for me, I have not hurried from being a shepherd after you; neither have I desired the woeful day; you know. That which came out of my lips was before your face.
- Prov 26:24–26A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
- Prov 12:12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
- Zech 6:13even he shall build Yahweh’s temple; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
- Mark 7:21–22For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
- Heb 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,
- Isa 9:6–7For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Rom 1:29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
- Mark 12:14–17When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 12:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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