Proverbs 29:12
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
- KJV
- If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
- WEB
- If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
- ASV
- If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.
- DARBY
- If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked.
- BLB
- One ruling listening to words of deception, all his ministers [are] wicked.
- ÅB
- Når en hersker akter på løgnens ord, blir alle hans tjenere ugudelige.
- OTB
- Hvis en hersker lytter til løgn, blir alle hans embetsmenn korrupte.
- B1930
- Når en hersker akter på løgnens ord, blir alle hans tjenere ugudelige.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 20:8
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Read in context1 Samuel 22:8–23
That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Read in contextPsalms 101:5–7
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Read in context2 Kings 10:6–7
Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king’s sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
Read in contextPsalms 52:2–4
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Read in context2 Samuel 4:5–12
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
Read in context1 Kings 21:11–13
And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.
Read in context1 Samuel 23:19–23
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
Read in context