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Proverbs 12:20

in Proverbs 12

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

KJV

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

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This verse in Proverbs 12

Commentary

6 notes on this verse
The “deceit” of “those who imagine evil” can work nothing but evil to those whom they advise. The “counselors of peace” have joy in themselves, and impart it to others also.

This site's exposition

He who speaks the truth declares what is right

on Proverbs 12:17-22

Verses 17 to 22 gather proverbs on the tongue. Rash words are “like a piercing sword,” but “the tongue of the wise brings healing,” and “Truthful lips endure forever”. “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD,” as dishonest scales are at 11:1, and “those who deal faithfully are His delight”.

This site's exposition

the counselors of peace have joy

Both lines describe advisers, one planning evil and one counselling peace. Albert Barnes notes that deceit harms the people it advises, while counselors of peace keep joy for themselves and pass it on. Advice carries the heart of the adviser.

The record, by era

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Bonaventure

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 7 · Written in the 13th century.

proposed

He who follows counsel will have joy. Whence in Proverbs: 'Those who enter upon counsels of peace, joy follows them forever.'

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil,....

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

that imagine--or, "plan" (Pr 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Mt 5:9;

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase+unbalanced-parens

The words behind it

7 Hebrew words

Every Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

  • מִ֭רְמָהdeceit

    mirmahH4820 →39 times

  • בְּלֶב־[is] in [the] heart of

    belev-H3820 →595 times

  • חֹ֣רְשֵׁיdevisers of

    choresheiH2790 →74 times

  • רָ֑עevil

    ra'H7451 →662 times

  • וּֽלְיֹעֲצֵ֖יand [belongs] to counselors of

    uleyoatzeiH3289 →79 times

  • שָׁל֣וֹםpeace

    shalomH7965 →236 times

  • שִׂמְחָֽה׃joy

    simchahH8057 →94 times

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

14 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 12:18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.28 worksMatthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.8 worksProverbs 26:24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.8 works1 Peter 3:8–13Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.4 worksMark 7:21–22For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,4 worksPsalms 140:2who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.4 works
The other 8 cross-references, with their words ▾
Zechariah 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.’3 worksJeremiah 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.3 worksHebrews 12:14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.3 worksProverbs 12:12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.3 worksDaniel 11:27And the two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.3 worksMark 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?”2 worksIsaiah 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.2 worksRomans 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,2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Matthew 5:9

    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 12:14

      Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

    • James 3:16–18

      For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

    • Romans 12:18

      If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

    • Galatians 5:22

      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

    • Psalms 120:6

      Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.

  • Through

    Zechariah 6:13

    Yes, 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…

    it leads to

    • Psalms 110:4

      The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

    • Hebrews 3:1

      Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

    • Isaiah 49:5–6

      And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight…

Where this verse is studied

About Proverbs

The Judgment of Solomon, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Judgment of Solomon, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Proverbs: the study guide →Read Proverbs 12 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 7; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).

Read on in Proverbs 12 →