New International Version
Proverbs 12:26
26The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.
Context of Proverbs 12:26
24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. 25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. 28In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:26 word by word
יָתֵ֣ר מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ צַדִּ֑יק וְדֶ֖רֶךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תַּתְעֵֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:26
- Proverbs 12:13Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
- Proverbs 17:27The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
- Psalms 16:3I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
- Matthew 5:46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
- Luke 6:32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
- 1 Peter 2:18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
- Psalms 18:12Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
- James 1:13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
- 2 Peter 2:18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
- 1 John 2:26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
- Revelation 12:9The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- Revelation 13:14Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor - That is, if the neighbor be a wicked man. The spirit of the proverb lies here: The Poor righteous man is more excellent than his sinful neighbor, though affluent and noble. The Syriac has it, "The righteous deviseth good to his neighbor." A late commentator has translated it, "The righteous explore their pastures." How מרעהו can be translated Their pastures I know not; but none of the versions understood…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. more excellent--(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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