Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:22
Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom instructor addresses students within a structured collection of moral contrasts, using a rhetorical question followed by a direct statement to delineate the fixed outcomes of opposing life orientations.
The words — חֹרְשֵׁי (choreshi) denotes active planners or devisers, while חֶסֶד (chesed) and אֱמֶת (emet) specify covenant loyalty and faithfulness respectively.
The thread — The opposition between contriving evil and receiving covenant loyalty appears in Proverbs 12:2, where the Lord condemns evil planners but grants favor to the good, and aligns with Psalms 25:10 regarding the Lord's faithful ways, while Matthew 5:7 extends the principle to mercy.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to audit their own intentions, recognizing that deliberate moral choices produce fixed consequences, and to direct their efforts toward outcomes that align with covenant faithfulness.
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
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 12:2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
- Psalms 25:10 All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.
- Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- Genesis 24:27 saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”
- 2 Chronicles 6:8 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
- Psalms 61:7 May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness to guard him.
- Proverbs 3:29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
- Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
- Proverbs 19:22 The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.