Proverbs 21:12
New International Version
The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

New Living Translation
The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

English Standard Version
The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

Berean Standard Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

King James Bible
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

New King James Version
The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

New American Standard Bible
The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Bringing the wicked to ruin.

NASB 1995
The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

NASB 1977
The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

Legacy Standard Bible
The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

Amplified Bible
The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked— How the wicked are cast down to ruin.

Christian Standard Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.

American Standard Version
The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

Contemporary English Version
God is always fair! He knows what the wicked do and will punish them.

English Revised Version
The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A righteous person wisely considers the house of a wicked person. He throws wicked people into disasters.

Good News Translation
God, the righteous one, knows what goes on in the homes of the wicked, and he will bring the wicked down to ruin.

International Standard Version
The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.

Majority Standard Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

NET Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

New Heart English Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

Webster's Bible Translation
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

World English Bible
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The Righteous One is acting wisely "" Toward the house of the wicked, "" He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

Young's Literal Translation
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

Smith's Literal Translation
The just one being circumspect for the house of the unjust one: overthrowing the unjust for evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.

New American Bible
The Righteous One appraises the house of the wicked, bringing down the wicked to ruin.

New Revised Standard Version
The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The righteous man wisely understands the hearts of the wicked; and he overthrows the wicked into mischief.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Righteous One understands the heart of the evil, and he drives out the evil ones unto affliction.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; Overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.…

Cross References
Psalm 37:37-38
Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. / But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 1:5-6
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. / For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:29-30
The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil. / The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.

Proverbs 14:11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

Proverbs 24:15-16
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. / For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Psalm 37:10
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

2 Peter 2:9
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Psalm 37:34
Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 73:18-19
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!

Proverbs 12:7
The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

Proverbs 15:25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.


Treasury of Scripture

The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.

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Acting Cast Considereth Considers Destruction Evil-Doer House Lets Note Observes Overthroweth Overthrowing Overthrown Overturned Righteous Ruin Sinners Towards Turning Upright Wicked Wickedness Wisely
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Acting Cast Considereth Considers Destruction Evil-Doer House Lets Note Observes Overthroweth Overthrowing Overthrown Overturned Righteous Ruin Sinners Towards Turning Upright Wicked Wickedness Wisely
Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














The Righteous One
This phrase refers to God Himself, who is the ultimate standard of righteousness. In Hebrew, the word for "righteous" is "tsaddiq," which conveys the idea of being just, lawful, and morally upright. The Righteous One is not only a title for God but also a model for human conduct. In the context of Proverbs, it emphasizes God's role as the ultimate judge and arbiter of justice. Historically, the Israelites understood God as the source of all righteousness, and this understanding is foundational to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

considers
The Hebrew word here is "sakhal," which means to look at, to understand, or to give attention to. It implies a deep, thoughtful consideration rather than a superficial glance. This suggests that God, in His righteousness, is not indifferent or passive but actively engaged in observing and understanding the actions of humanity. The use of this word underscores the idea that God is intimately aware of human affairs and is discerning in His judgments.

the house of the wicked
The "house" in ancient Hebrew culture often referred to more than just a physical dwelling; it encompassed the family, lineage, and the legacy of a person. The "wicked," or "rasha" in Hebrew, are those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. This phrase indicates that God is aware of the entirety of the wicked person's life and influence. The historical context of Proverbs often contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous, emphasizing that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.

He overthrows
The Hebrew verb "haras" means to tear down, demolish, or destroy. This action is decisive and powerful, indicating that God’s intervention in the affairs of the wicked is not partial or temporary but complete and final. The imagery of overthrowing suggests a reversal of fortunes, where the seemingly stable and prosperous life of the wicked is brought to ruin by divine justice.

the wicked
Reiterating the earlier mention, the "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God’s laws and principles. In the wisdom literature, the wicked are often portrayed as those who may prosper temporarily but ultimately face destruction due to their rebellion against God. This serves as a warning and a call to repentance, highlighting the transient nature of wickedness in contrast to the enduring nature of righteousness.

(12) The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked.--Rather, A Righteous one (God) marks the house of the wicked and overthroweth the wicked for (their) destruction. He watches the evil to see whether they will repent (Luke 13:8), and if they will not, at last overthrows them when their iniquity has become full (Genesis 15:16).

Verse 12. - The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. The Authorized Version introduces the words "but God" in order to eke out the sense desired; the Revised Version, for the same reason, has, "how the wicked are overthrown;" and both versions signify that the good man contemplates the fortunes and seeming prosperity of the wicked, and, looking to the end of these men, sees how hollow is their success and what a fatal issue awaits them. The Vulgate refers the passage to the zeal of the righteous for the salvation of sinners - a thought quite foreign to the present subject - thus: Excogitat justus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo, "The righteous man reflects concerning the house of the wicked how he may deliver them from evil." The Hebrew is literally, A righteous one looketh on the house of the wicked: he precipitates the wicked to destruction. There is no change of subject in the two clauses, and "a righteous One" (tsaddik) is God, put indeterminately to excite the greater awe (comp. Job 34:17). The Lord keeps the sinners under his eye, that he may punish them at the fit moment (comp. Proverbs 22:12; Job 12:19). The notion of God's moral government of the universe prevails most strongly in every pronouncement of the writer. The LXX. interprets "the house" as heart and conscience, and renders, "A righteous man understands the hearts of the godless, and despises the impious in their wickednesses;" he sees through their outward felicity, knows well its unreality, and despises them for the low aims and pursuits which satisfy them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Righteous One
צַ֭דִּיק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

considers
מַשְׂכִּ֣יל (maś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

the house
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the wicked;
רָשָׁ֑ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

He brings
מְסַלֵּ֖ף (mə·sal·lêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5557: To twist, pervert, overturn

the wicked
רְשָׁעִ֣ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

to ruin.
לָרָֽע׃ (lā·rā‘)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:12 The Righteous One considers the house (Prov. Pro Pr)
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