Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter addresses dispersed Christians facing unjust hardship, placing this declaration at the close of his instruction to persist in righteous conduct despite opposition.
The words — The passage foregrounds ὀφθαλμοὶ (ophthalmoi), literally eyes, and ὦτα (ōta), literally ears, to depict divine attention directed toward the righteous and their petitions.
The thread — The phrasing runs through Psalms 34:15 and 34:16, and aligns with the pattern in Proverbs 15:29 and John 9:31 where God attentively hears the righteous while opposing the wicked.
Why it lands — The text states that God actively watches and listens to those who do right, while standing against evildoers; it therefore requires a reader to pursue righteousness without demanding immediate earthly protection or approval.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Cross-references
- Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.
- John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.
- Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
- Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
- 2 Chronicles 7:15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
- Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
- Psalms 65:2 O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.
- Ezekiel 15:7 And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.