Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
- KJV Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
- NKJV Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
- NASB Will they who devise evil not go astray? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
- NLT If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
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
Those who plot evil go astray, but those who plan good find love and faithfulness. Our intentions set our direction.
Overview
This proverb poses a rhetorical question affirming that schemers of evil wander into error, while planners of good are met with steadfast love and faithfulness, the very covenant qualities of God. It links the orientation of the heart with the path one travels and the favor one receives. Those who devise good reflect God's own faithful love poured out in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Prov 12:2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
- John 1:17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- Ps 61:7May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness to guard him.
- Matt 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- 2 Chr 6:8But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
- Isa 32:7–8The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
- Prov 19:22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
- Gen 24:27saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”
- Ps 25:10All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.
- Prov 3:29Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
- Prov 14:17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 14:22 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.