Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. The word rendered "deceit" may be understood as including deceit practised on a man's self as well as on others, and here it may have the sense of self-deceit. Eminent translators have rendered the word, in its present connection, disappointment; frustrated hope. Those who "imagine evil" dare not avow their designs. Dissimulation and craft are productive of incessant apprehension and anxiety. They necessarily engender self-dissatisfaction and tremor, and that from the very dread of detection, frustration, and consequent evil to themselves, instead of to those against whom they were plotting. (R. Wardlaw.) Parallel Verses KJV: Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.WEB: Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace. |
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