Proverbs 24:12

Proverbs 24:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
• New International Version (NIV)If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
• English Standard Version (ESV)If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
• New King James Version (NKJV)If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Context of Proverbs 24:12

10If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. 11Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work? 13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate; 14realize that wisdom is the same for you. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

Proverbs 24:12 word by word

כִּֽי־תֹאמַ֗ר הֵן֮ לֹא־יָדַ֪עְנ֫וּ זֶ֥ה הֲֽלֹא־תֹ֘כֵ֤ן לִבּ֨וֹת׀ הֽוּא־יָבִ֗ין וְנֹצֵ֣ר נַ֭פְשְׁךָ ה֣וּא יֵדָ֑ע וְהֵשִׁ֖יב לְאָדָ֣ם כְּפָעֳלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If thou sayestאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Behold, we knewיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• it not; doth not he that ponderethתָּכַןtâkan · to measureH8505
• the heartלִבָּהlibbâh · heartH3826
• considerבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• and he that keepethנָצַרnâtsar · to watchH5341
• thy soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• he renderשׁוּבshûb · to return: payH7725
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• according to his worksפֹּ֫עַלpô‛al · workH6467

Cross-references for Proverbs 24:12

• Proverbs 5:21For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and he considers all his paths.
• Proverbs 21:2All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts.
• 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”
• Psalms 7:9Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The one who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God.
• Psalms 17:3You have tested my heart; you have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
• Psalms 44:21wouldn’t God have found this out, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
• Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.
• Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
• Romans 2:16on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Revelation 2:18“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:
• 1 Samuel 2:6The Lord brings death and gives life; he sends some down to Sheol, and he raises others up.
• 1 Samuel 25:29“Someone is pursuing you and intends to take your life. My lord’s life is tucked safely in the place where the Lord your God protects the living, but he is flinging away your enemies’ lives like stones from a sling.
• Psalms 66:9He keeps us alive and does not allow our feet to slip.
• Psalms 121:3He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

Commentaries on Proverbs 24:12

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12As Proverbs 24:11 warned men against acquiescing in an unrighteous tyranny, so this denounces the tendency to hush up a wrong with the false plea of ignorance. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:8. Proverbs 24:10-12 thus forms a complete and connected whole.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-12Verses 11-12 If a man know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions and example may be the means of preventing it?Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12Saying 25: Wise people try to stop injustice and suffering (for example, Job 29:12–17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1211-12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17). ready--literally, "bowing down" to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 24:12

• God Continued...
• Judgment
• Punishment
• Selfishness
• Unfaithfulness
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Faint
• Respect
• Face
• Proverbs, the Book of
• God

Commentaries on Proverbs 24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings