Proverbs 12:5
Proverbs 12:5 in Multiple Translations
The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous are just; But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
Good people make plans that are fair, but the advice of the wicked is deceptive.
The thoughtes of the iust are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitfull.
The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked — deceit.
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
What righteous people want to do is to treat people fairly; what wicked people want to do is to deceive people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 12:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 12:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
צַדִּיקִ֣ים
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
מִרְמָֽה
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
plot
N-fp
צַדִּיקִ֣ים
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms
תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת
tachbulâh
H8458
counsel
N-fp
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
מִרְמָֽה
mirmâh
H4820
deceit
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 12:5
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
"plot"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a plan, device, or invention, which can be either good or bad. It appears in places like 2 Chronicles 2:11 and Esther 8:3, where it is used to describe clever ideas or schemes. The word is associated with creativity and problem-solving.
Definition: 1) thought, device 1a) thought 1b) device, plan, purpose 1c) invention
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought. See also: Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 19:21; Psalms 33:10.
צַדִּיקִ֣ים
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת
tachbulâh
H8458
"counsel"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for guidance or plan, often referring to good advice or wise counsel, as seen in the book of Proverbs. It involves steering or managing a situation. This concept is important in biblical decision-making.
Definition: 1) direction, counsel, guidance, good advice, (wise) counsel 1a) direction, guidance 1b) counsel 1b1) good or wise counsel 1b2) of the wicked
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: good advice, (wise) counsels. See also: Job 37:12; Proverbs 12:5; Proverbs 1:5.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
מִרְמָֽה
mirmâh
H4820
"deceit"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means deceit or cheating, like when someone tricks or lies to another person. It appears in stories about dishonest people, like in Jeremiah 8:10, where the prophet talks about the deceit of the Israelites. The word is often translated as 'deceit' or 'craft' in English Bibles.
Definition: deceit, treachery
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: craft, deceit(-ful, -fully), false, feigned, guile, subtilly, treachery. See also: Genesis 27:35; Proverbs 11:1; Psalms 5:7.
Study Notes — Proverbs 12:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 12:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
- Sermons on Proverbs 12:5
Context — Loving Discipline and Knowledge
3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 139:23 | Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. |
| 2 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
| 3 | Psalms 140:1–3 | Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah |
| 4 | Jeremiah 4:14 | Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you? |
| 5 | Matthew 2:16 | When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. |
| 6 | Proverbs 24:9 | A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men. |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 4:2 | Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. |
| 8 | Matthew 26:4 | and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. |
| 9 | Proverbs 11:23 | The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. |
| 10 | Psalms 41:6–7 | My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad. All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: |
Proverbs 12:5 Summary
This verse teaches us that when we follow God, our plans and goals will be fair and honest, but when we listen to those who do not follow God, we can be led astray. It's like having a good GPS versus a bad one - one will guide us safely to our destination, while the other will lead us into trouble. As we see in Psalm 37:23, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. By seeking God's guidance and wisdom, we can ensure that our plans are just and pleasing to Him, and we can avoid the deceit that comes from wicked counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the plans of the righteous to be just?
This means that the intentions and goals of those who follow God are fair, honest, and in line with His will, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are called to trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways.
How does the counsel of the wicked lead to deceit?
The advice and guidance of those who do not follow God will lead to dishonesty and trickery, as warned in Psalm 1:1, where we are cautioned against walking in the counsel of the wicked.
What is the difference between the plans of the righteous and the counsel of the wicked?
The plans of the righteous are guided by a desire to obey and please God, whereas the counsel of the wicked is driven by self-interest and a disregard for God's will, as seen in Proverbs 10:9, where the righteous are said to walk in integrity.
How can I ensure that my plans are just and not deceitful?
By seeking God's guidance and wisdom, as promised in James 1:5, where we are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, and He will give it to us generously.
Reflection Questions
- What are my plans and goals, and are they aligned with God's will?
- How can I discern whether the advice I am receiving is from a righteous or wicked source?
- In what ways can I trust God to guide my plans and decisions, even when the outcome is uncertain?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be seeking counsel from wicked or ungodly sources, and how can I change this?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous [are] right,.... Or "judgment" (o).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The thoughts of the righteous (are) right (Hebrew, judgment; i:e., consonant to justice): (but) the counsels of the wicked (are) deceit.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are right; his constant purpose is to deal justly and truly with God and with men. The counsels of the wicked are deceit; his great care and contrivance is to wrong and deceive others by fair pretences and cunning artifices.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.Ver. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right.] He feeds his thoughts upon the best objects, those especially mentioned in that little Bible, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these Things."if worse break in, as they will, he jostles them out, and rids the room of them. But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.] Not their rash thoughts only, but also their deliberate ones are how to circumvent others, or to cloak their own wickedness. "Every imagination," the whole frame, "of their thoughts is evil, only evil, and continually evil." If good thoughts look into a wicked heart, they stay not there, as those that like not their lodging: the flashes of lightnings may be discerned into the darkest prisons. The light that shines into a holy heart is constant, like that of the sun, which keeps due times, and varies not the course for any of these sublunary occasions.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
(5) The thoughts of the righteous are right.—Or, justice. (Comp. Matthew 12:35.)
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:5
5. Thoughts… righteous — Their purposes, intentions, accord with justice, or a judicial decision; that is, are like unto one. They meditate, and intend nothing but what is right. The counsels — ϊηαμεϊ, tahhbuloth, (comp.
Sermons on Proverbs 12:5
| Sermon | Description | |
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Heart Preparation for Revival by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of walking in the light and having fellowship with one another. He highlights the need for genuine repentance and obedience in |
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The Voice of God by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of examining our motives rather than just our actions. He shares a personal story of listening to a preacher who spoke about |
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Bringing Your House to Spiritual Victory by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and living out one's faith rather than just talking about it. He uses the example of Cornelius, a man w |
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Called to Authentic Christianity by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker shares his journey of seeking understanding from God about the state of his people. He emphasizes the need for humility and dependence on God, rather th |
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2 Corinthians Teaching - God Who Raises the Dead by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan discusses the profound motivations behind Christian ministry as illustrated in 2 Corinthians, emphasizing the duality of the fear of the Lord and the love of Christ. |
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(First Baptist Church) #2 - Conscience by J. Edwin Orr | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting and convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He discusses the importance of worki |
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Who Are God's Annointed by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the danger of preaching without the living presence of God. He shares a conversation he had with a famous manager of a rock and roll band who |