Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 12:5 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. "
Proverbs 12:5
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
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God’s word discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and judges them. We are mistaken if we think our thoughts are free from God’s notice. They are known by him, and therefore subject to his command.
So we should watch the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts, and judge ourselves by them. These inward thoughts are the first signs of the soul, and they show its true shape most clearly. Right thoughts are one of the clearest marks of a righteous person. In the same way, nothing shows a wicked person more surely than evil plans and schemes.
A good person may have bad ideas come into mind, but he does not welcome them or hold on to them until they grow into sinful plans and settled choices. It is an honor to mean honestly and have right intentions, even if a word or action is misplaced, mistimed, or misunderstood. But it is a shame to always be on the lookout for advantage through deceit, trickery, and design, reaching beyond fair dealing into overreaching others.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 12:1
"Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Proverbs 12:2
"A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans."
Proverbs 12:3
"A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved."
Proverbs 12:4
"A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones."
Proverbs 12:6
"The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them."
Proverbs 12:7
"The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand."
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