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 faint in a crisis, you are weak. 11Rescue captives condemned to death, and spare those staggering toward their slaughter. When you say, “We didn’t know this,” won’t the one who weighs hearts take note of it? Won’t the one who guards your soul know it? Won’t he pay back people for what they do? 13Eat honey, my son, because it is good. Honey that flows from the honeycomb tastes sweet. 14The knowledge of wisdom is like that for your soul. If you find it, then there is a future, and your hope will never be cut off.

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 5:21Each person’s ways are clearly seen by the Lord, and he surveys all his actions.
• Proverbs 21:2A person thinks everything he does is right, but the Lord weighs hearts.
• 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
• Psalms 7:9Let the evil within wicked people come to an end, but make the righteous person secure, O righteous God who examines thoughts and emotions.
• Psalms 17:3You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
• Psalms 44:21wouldn’t God find out, since he knows the secrets in our hearts?
• Ecclesiastes 5:8Don’t be surprised if you see poor people being oppressed, denied justice, or denied their rights in any district. One authority is watching over another, and they both have authorities watching over them.
• Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.
• Romans 2:16This happens as they face the day when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge people’s secret thoughts. He will use the Good News that I am spreading to make that judgment.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
• Hebrews 4:12God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.
• Revelation 2:18“To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write: The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says:
• 1 Samuel 2:6“The Lord kills, and he gives life. He makes ⌞people⌟ go down to the grave, and he raises them up ⌞again⌟.
• 1 Samuel 25:29Even though someone pursued you and sought your life, your life is wrapped in the bundle of life which comes from the Lord your God. But he will dispose of the lives of your enemies like stones thrown from a sling.
• Psalms 66:9He has kept us alive and has not allowed us to fall.
• Psalms 121:3He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.

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