Bible Strands
Proverbs 12:26
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses a community seeking practical wisdom, placing this maxim between observations on emotional burden and work ethic to frame daily conduct.
The words — The Hebrew יָתֵר (ya.Ter) denotes careful scrutiny, applied to the צַדִּ֑יק (tza.Dik, righteous man) regarding his מֵרֵעֵהוּ (me.re'ehu, friend). The verse contrasts this with the רְשָׁעִ֣ים (re.sha'Im, wicked), whose דֶ֖רֶךְ (De.rekh, way) תַתְעֵם (tat'em, misleads them).
The thread — The concern over misleading influence surfaces in 1 John 2:26, while James 1:13 and Psalms 18:12 address divine non-temptation and theophanic judgment respectively.
Why it lands — The text commands active discernment in relationships and states that association with the wicked produces deviation. Readers must evaluate influences deliberately rather than assume neutrality.
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 Hebrew words
King James Version
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
Cross-references
- 1 John 2:26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
- James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
- Psalms 18:12 From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.
- Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
- Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
- Luke 6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
- 2 Peter 2:18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
- 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
- Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.