If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love 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.
- BSB Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
- 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.
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 12:2A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
- John 1:17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
- Ps 61:7He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him.
- Matt 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- 2 Chr 6:8But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart;
- Isa 32:7–8The ways of the scoundrel are evil. He devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right.
- Prov 19:22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
- Gen 24:27He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
- Ps 25:10All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- Prov 3:29Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.
- Prov 14:17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty 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.