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

1024. If you stop trying in times of trouble, you are really very weak. 1125. You should rescue people who are in danger of death. You may say, ‘We did not know what was happening.’ But God knows your thoughts. He carefully watches your life and he knows what you are doing. He will pay back to you whatever you deserve. 1326. My child, honey is good for you, so eat it. It is sweet on your tongue when you taste it. 14In the same way, wisdom is also good for you. If you find wisdom, it will help you in life. The things that you hope for in the future will surely happen.

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 5:21The Lord sees everything that a person does. He knows every path that you go along.
• Proverbs 21:2People think that everything they do is right, but the Lord knows exactly why they are doing it.
• 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at how handsome or how tall Eliab is. I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at people in the way that people do. People look at the face and body of a person. But the Lord sees what they are like inside.’
• Psalms 7:9Stop wicked people from doing evil things. Keep your own people safe. You always do what is right, and you know how we think and feel.
• Psalms 17:3You look deep into my mind. You check my thoughts at night. When you test me, you find nothing that is wrong. I have decided that I will never tell any lies.
• Psalms 44:21But if we had done that, you would have discovered it. You know even our most secret thoughts.
• Ecclesiastes 5:8You may see a place where poor people are suffering. Powerful people may be hurting them. Do not be surprised if you see that. The judges may not be doing what is right and fair. That happens because the government's officers have to obey people who are more important than them.
• Jeremiah 17:10But I, the Lord, look inside a person's mind. I see what he thinks and what he feels. I see how everyone lives, and I see the things that they do. I give to each one what he deserves.
• Romans 2:16That is the message that I tell people. God knows everything that people think secretly. One day he will judge everyone. He has given Jesus Christ the authority to do that.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5So you should not decide about things before the time is right. Wait until the Lord comes again. He will show everything clearly. He will show the bad things that people have done secretly. He will show the secret purpose of people's thoughts. Then God will praise each person in a way that is right for them.
• Hebrews 4:12So be careful! God's message to us is alive and powerful. It is like a sword that has two sharp edges. Even more than a sword, God's message goes very deep into us. It cuts between our soul and our spirit. It is like a sharp knife that can cut deep into our body between our bones. God's message shows what we are really thinking. It shows what we really want.
• Revelation 2:18‘Write this to the angel of the church at Thyatira: “This is the message to you from the Son of God. He has eyes that burn brightly like flames of fire. His feet shine like bright metal.
• 1 Samuel 2:6The Lord gives both life and death. He sends some people to their graves, and he raises other people up.
• 1 Samuel 25:29People may chase after you and try to kill you. But the Lord your God will always keep you safe. He will throw your enemies away like someone who throws a stone from his sling.
• Psalms 66:9He keeps our lives safe. He does not let us fall to the ground.
• Psalms 121:3He will take care of you, so that you do not fall. The one who keeps you safe will not sleep.

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