Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. New Living Translation Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. English Standard Version Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. Berean Standard Bible The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. King James Bible The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. New King James Version The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. New American Standard Bible The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. NASB 1995 The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. NASB 1977 The wicked desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. Legacy Standard Bible The wicked man desires a stronghold of evil men, But the root of the righteous gives fruit. Amplified Bible The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields richer fruit. Christian Standard Bible The wicked desire what evil people have caught, but the root of the righteous is productive. Holman Christian Standard Bible The wicked desire what evil men have, but the root of the righteous produces fruit. American Standard Version The wicked desireth the net of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. Contemporary English Version An evil person tries to hide behind evil; good people are like trees with deep roots. English Revised Version The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. GOD'S WORD® Translation A wicked person delights in setting a trap for [other] evil people, but the roots of righteous people produce [fruit]. Good News Translation All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm. International Standard Version The wicked desires what evil people gain, but the foundation of the righteous is productive. Majority Standard Bible The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. NET Bible The wicked person desires a stronghold, but the righteous root endures. New Heart English Bible The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. Webster's Bible Translation The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. World English Bible The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe wicked has desired the net of evildoers, "" And the root of the righteous gives. Young's Literal Translation The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth. Smith's Literal Translation The unjust one desired the net of the evil: and the root of the just will give. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper. Catholic Public Domain Version The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper. New American Bible A wicked person desires the catch of evil people, but the root of the righteous will bear fruit. New Revised Standard Version The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe wicked desire to do evil; but the root of the righteous shall sprout. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The evil one lusts to do evil, and the root of the righteous ones will sprout. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The wicked desireth the prey of evil men; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. Brenton Septuagint Translation The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Loving Discipline and Knowledge…11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.… Cross References Psalm 37:1-2 Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. Psalm 73:3-5 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Jeremiah 17:11 Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Romans 1:29-32 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. ... Micah 2:1-2 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. 1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Habakkuk 2:9 Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster! Treasury of Scripture The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit. desireth Proverbs 1:17-19 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird… Proverbs 29:5,6 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet… Psalm 9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. net or fortress Proverbs 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. the root Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Isaiah 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: Jump to Previous Booty Desire Desired Desires Desireth Destruction Doers Evil Firm Flourishes Fruit Net Plunder Prey Resting-Place Righteous Root Ruin Sinner Stands Strong Tower Upright Wicked Yieldeth YieldsJump to Next Booty Desire Desired Desires Desireth Destruction Doers Evil Firm Flourishes Fruit Net Plunder Prey Resting-Place Righteous Root Ruin Sinner Stands Strong Tower Upright Wicked Yieldeth YieldsProverbs 12 1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledgeThe wicked desire the plunder of evil men This phrase highlights the nature of wickedness, which is characterized by covetousness and greed. In biblical context, the desire for plunder reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's commandments, particularly the commandment against coveting (Exodus 20:17). The wicked are often portrayed in Scripture as those who seek to gain through unjust means, as seen in the actions of Ahab coveting Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21). This desire for plunder is not just a longing for material wealth but also a reflection of a deeper moral corruption. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures often engaged in warfare and plundering as a means of wealth acquisition, which was contrary to the ethical teachings of the Israelites. The phrase serves as a warning against the destructive nature of greed and the moral decay it brings. but the root of the righteous flourishes Persons / Places / Events 1. The WickedThis term refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. In the context of Proverbs, the wicked are often contrasted with the righteous, highlighting their moral and spiritual corruption. 2. The Righteous These are individuals who live in accordance with God's will, seeking to embody His principles in their daily lives. The righteous are often depicted as flourishing due to their alignment with God's ways. 3. Plunder of Evil Men This phrase refers to the ill-gotten gains or wealth acquired through unjust or immoral means. It symbolizes the temporary and ultimately unsatisfying rewards of wickedness. 4. Root of the Righteous This metaphor suggests stability, growth, and life. In Hebrew, the word for "root" (shoresh) implies a source of sustenance and strength, indicating that the righteous are deeply grounded in their faith and values. Teaching Points Desire and ContentmentThe wicked are driven by a desire for what others have, often leading to envy and dissatisfaction. In contrast, the righteous find contentment in their relationship with God, which leads to true flourishing. The Source of True Prosperity True prosperity is not found in material wealth or ill-gotten gains but in a life rooted in righteousness. This prosperity is spiritual and eternal, not just temporal. The Importance of Deep Roots Just as a tree needs deep roots to withstand storms, believers need to be deeply rooted in their faith to endure life's challenges. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and community. Contrast of Outcomes The outcomes of the wicked and the righteous are starkly different. While the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, their end is destruction. The righteous, however, experience lasting growth and blessing.(12) The wicked desireth the net of evil men--i.e., to enrich himself by prey as they do; but the "root of the righteous yieldeth fruit," by their own exertion they gain all they require without injuring others.Verse 12. - Modern commentators have endeavoured to amend the text of this verse by various methods, which may be seen in Nowack's note on the passage; but the existing reading gives an appropriate sense, and alteration is not absolutely needed, though it is plain that the LXX had before them something different from the Masoretic text. The wicked desireth the net of evil men (Ecclesiastes 7:26), that he may use the means which they take to enrich themselves; or matsod may mean, not the instrument, but the prey - "such booty as evil men capture;" or yet again, the word may mean "fortress," i.e. the wicked seeks the protection of evil men. So the Vulgate, Desiderium impii munimentum est pessimorum, "What the wicked desire is the support of evil men," or, it may be, "the defense of evil men," i.e. that these may be secured from suppression and interruption. Another interpretation, which, however, seems somewhat forced, is that "the net" is a metaphor for the judgment of God, which overtakes sinners, and into which they run with such blind infatuation that they seem to "desire" it, The safest explanation is the second one given above, which signifies that the wicked man seeks by every means to obtain the prey which he sees sinners obtain, and, as is implied, gets small return for his labour, does not advance his interests. But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The root supplies the sap and vigour needed for healthy produce. Without any evil devices or plotting, the righteous gain all that they want as the natural result of their high principles. Another hindering is, "He (the Lord) will give a root of the righteous," will enable them to stand firm in time of trial. Septuagint, "The desires of the impious are evil; but the roots of the pious are in strongholds," i.e. are secure. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The wickedרָ֭שָׁע (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person desire חָמַ֣ד (ḥā·maḏ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in the plunder מְצ֣וֹד (mə·ṣō·wḏ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4685: A net, a, fastness, tower of evil men, רָעִ֑ים (rā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7451: Bad, evil but the root וְשֹׁ֖רֶשׁ (wə·šō·reš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8328: A root of the righteous צַדִּיקִ֣ים (ṣad·dî·qîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6662: Just, righteous flourishes. יִתֵּֽן׃ (yit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set Links Proverbs 12:12 NIVProverbs 12:12 NLT Proverbs 12:12 ESV Proverbs 12:12 NASB Proverbs 12:12 KJV Proverbs 12:12 BibleApps.com Proverbs 12:12 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 12:12 Chinese Bible Proverbs 12:12 French Bible Proverbs 12:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desires the plunder of evil (Prov. Pro Pr) |
    |