Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. New Living Translation The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. English Standard Version One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Berean Standard Bible A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. King James Bible The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. New King James Version The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. New American Standard Bible The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. NASB 1995 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. NASB 1977 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. Legacy Standard Bible The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked makes them wander about. Amplified Bible The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. Christian Standard Bible A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. Holman Christian Standard Bible A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. American Standard Version The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err. Contemporary English Version You are better off to do right, than to lose your way by doing wrong. English Revised Version The righteous is a guide to his neighbour: but the way of the wicked causeth them to err. GOD'S WORD® Translation A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, but the path of wicked people leads others astray. Good News Translation The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray. International Standard Version The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor, but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray. Majority Standard Bible A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. NET Bible The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. New Heart English Bible A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Webster's Bible Translation The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. World English Bible A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe righteous searches his companion, "" And the way of the wicked causes them to err. Young's Literal Translation The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err. Smith's Literal Translation The just excelled above his neighbor: and the way of the unjust shall lead them astray. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them. Catholic Public Domain Version He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them. New American Bible The just act as guides to their neighbors, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. New Revised Standard Version The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA righteous man gives good counsel to his neighbor; but the way of the wicked shall lead them astray. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The righteous gives good counsel to his friend and the way of the evil will mislead them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The righteous is guided by his friend; But the way of the wicked leadeth them astray. Brenton Septuagint Translation A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Loving Discipline and Knowledge…25Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. 26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. 27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.… Cross References Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Psalm 119:63 I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. James 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, / or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Psalm 26:4-5 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. / I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Treasury of Scripture The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them. righteous Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Psalm 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. excellent or abundant Psalm 18:12,13 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire… James 1:13,14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: … 2 Peter 2:18-22 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error… Jump to Previous Astray Cause Causeth Cautious Companion Err Error Evil Evil-Doers Excellent Friend Friendship Guide Guided Guideth Leads Neighbor Neighbour Righteous Searcheth Turns Upright Way WickedJump to Next Astray Cause Causeth Cautious Companion Err Error Evil Evil-Doers Excellent Friend Friendship Guide Guided Guideth Leads Neighbor Neighbour Righteous Searcheth Turns Upright Way WickedProverbs 12 1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledgeA righteous man is cautious in friendship This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment and wisdom in choosing friends. In biblical context, righteousness is often associated with living in accordance with God's laws and principles. The Hebrew word for "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tzaddik) implies someone who is just and moral. The caution in friendship suggests a deliberate and thoughtful approach, reflecting the wisdom literature's broader theme of prudence. Proverbs 13:20 supports this idea, stating, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." The cultural context of ancient Israel placed high value on community and relationships, making the choice of friends significant for one's spiritual and moral well-being. but the ways of the wicked lead them astray Persons / Places / Events 1. Righteous ManRepresents individuals who live according to God's standards, seeking wisdom and discernment in their relationships. 2. Wicked Refers to those who reject God's ways, often leading themselves and others into moral and spiritual danger. 3. Friendship The context of relationships and associations, highlighting the importance of choosing companions wisely. Teaching Points Discernment in RelationshipsThe righteous are called to exercise discernment in their friendships, understanding that these relationships can significantly impact their spiritual journey. Influence of Companions Recognize that the people we surround ourselves with can either lead us closer to God or away from Him. Choose friends who encourage and support your faith. Guarding Against Deception The way of the wicked is deceptive and can lead one astray. Be vigilant and grounded in Scripture to avoid being misled. Reflecting Christ in Friendships As believers, our friendships should reflect Christ's love and truth, serving as a testimony to others. Seeking Godly Counsel In making decisions about friendships, seek guidance through prayer and the wisdom found in God's Word.(26) The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour.--Though, perhaps, inferior to him in worldly advantages. Or, it may signify, the just man is a guide to his neighbour, showing him "the way wherein he should walk;" the wicked, on the other hand, so far from guiding others, himself helplessly wanders.Verse 26. - The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour. This rendering has the authority of the Chaldee, and would signify that a good man is superior to others morally and socially, is more respected and stands higher, though his worldly position be inferior. But the clause is better translated, The just man is a guide to his neighbour, directs him in the right way; as the Syriac puts it, "gives good counsel to his friend." Septuagint, "The righteous wise man (ἐπιγνώμων) will be a friend to himself;" Vulgate, "He who regards not loss for a friend's sake is righteous," which is like Christ's word, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Hitzig, Delitzsch, and others, reading differently, translate, "A just man spieth out (or, looketh after) his pasture; i.e. he is not like the sinner, hampered and confined by the chain of evil habits and associations, but is free to follow the lead of virtue, and to go whither duty and his own best interests call him. This gives a very good sense, and makes a forcible antithesis with the succeeding clause. But the way of the wicked seduceth them; "causes them, the wicked, to err." Far from guiding others aright, the wicked, reaping the moral consequences of their sin, drift hopelessly astray themselves. Before the last clause some manuscripts of the Septuagint add, "But the judgments of the wicked are harsh; evils shall pursue sinners" (Proverbs 13:21). The whole is probably a gloss. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew A righteous manצַדִּ֑יק (ṣad·dîq) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous is cautious יָתֵ֣ר (yā·ṯêr) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 8446: To meander, about, for, trade, reconnoitring in friendship, מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ (mê·rê·‘ê·hū) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow but the ways וְדֶ֖רֶךְ (wə·ḏe·reḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action of the wicked רְשָׁעִ֣ים (rə·šā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person lead them astray. תַּתְעֵֽם׃ (taṯ·‘êm) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray Links Proverbs 12:26 NIVProverbs 12:26 NLT Proverbs 12:26 ESV Proverbs 12:26 NASB Proverbs 12:26 KJV Proverbs 12:26 BibleApps.com Proverbs 12:26 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 12:26 Chinese Bible Proverbs 12:26 French Bible Proverbs 12:26 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:26 A righteous person is cautious in friendship (Prov. 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