Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
Parallel translations
- WEB Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
- KJV Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
- ESV Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan 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 quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 will be called sons of God.
- 1 Pet 3:8–13Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
- Jer 17:16But I have not run away from being Your shepherd; I have not desired the day of despair. You know that the utterance of my lips was spoken in Your presence.
- Prov 26:24–26A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
- Prov 12:12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
- Zech 6:13Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’
- Mark 7:21–22For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
- Heb 12:14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
- Isa 9:6–7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Rom 1:29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
- Mark 12:14–17“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them 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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