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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Proverbs 24:12

If you say, "Behold, we did not know about this," does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God Continued...;   Judgment;   Punishment;   Selfishness;   Unfaithfulness;   Young Men;   Thompson Chain Reference - Future, the;   Judgment;   The Topic Concordance - Heart;   Knowledge;   Rendering;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Heart, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Pardon;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hannah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Proverbs, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Greek Versions of Ot;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Quotations;   Reward;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ponder;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”won’t he who weighs hearts consider it?Won’t he who protects your life know?Won’t he repay a person according to his work?
Hebrew Names Version
If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
King James Version
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
English Standard Version
If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
New American Standard Bible
If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He who weighs the hearts not consider it? And does He who watches over your soul not know it? And will He not repay a person according to his work?
New Century Version
If you say, "We don't know anything about this," God, who knows what's in your mind, will notice. He is watching you, and he will know. He will reward each person for what he has done.
Amplified Bible
If you [claim ignorance and] say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?
World English Bible
If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
Geneva Bible (1587)
If thou say, Beholde, we knew not of it: he that pondereth the heartes, doeth not hee vnderstand it? and hee that keepeth thy soule, knoweth he it not? will not he also recompense euery man according to his workes?
Legacy Standard Bible
If you say, "Behold, we did not know this,"Does not He who weighs the hearts understand?And does not He who guards your soul know?And will not He render to man according to his work?
Contemporary English Version
Don't say, "I didn't know it!" God can read your mind. He watches each of us and knows our thoughts. And God will pay us back for what we do.
Complete Jewish Bible
If you say, "We knew nothing about it," won't he who weighs hearts discern it? Yes, he who guards you will know it and repay each one as his deeds deserve.
Darby Translation
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, will not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that preserveth thy soul, he knoweth it; and he rendereth to man according to his work.
Easy-to-Read Version
You cannot say, "It's none of my business." The Lord knows everything, and he knows why you do things. He watches you, and he will pay you back for what you do.
George Lamsa Translation
If you say, Behold, I did not know it, then know that it is God who searches the thought of the heart; and he who keeps your soul knows it, and shall render to every man according to his works.
Good News Translation
You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
Lexham English Bible
if you say, "Look, we do not know this," does not he who weighs hearts perceive it? And he who keeps your soul, he knows and will repay humankind according to his deeds.
Literal Translation
For you say, Behold, we did not know this. Does not He who weighs the heart consider it? And the One who keeps your soul, does He not know? Yea, He repays to a man according to his work.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf thou wilt saye: I knewe not of it. Thynkest thou yt he which made ye hertes, doth not cosidre it? & yt he which regardeth yi soule, seith it not? Shal not he recopence euery man acordinge to his workes?
American Standard Version
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?
Bible in Basic English
If you say, See, we had no knowledge of this: does not the tester of hearts give thought to it? and he who keeps your soul, has he no knowledge of it? and will he not give to every man the reward of his work?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
If thou sayest: 'Behold, we knew not this', doth not He that weigheth the hearts consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?
King James Version (1611)
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not: doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider it? and he that keepeth thy soule, doth not he know it? and shall not hee render to euery man according to his workes?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
If thou wylt say, beholde I knewe not of it: doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that kepeth thy soule, knoweth he it not? Shall not he also recompence euery man according to his workes?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
English Revised Version
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this: doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his work?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
If thou seist, Strengthis suffisen not; he that is biholdere of the herte, vndirstondith, and no thing disseyueth the kepere of thi soule, and he schal yelde to a man bi hise werkis.
Update Bible Version
If you say, Look, we did not know this; Does not he that weighs the hearts consider it? And he that keeps your soul, does he not know it? And shall he not render to man according to his work?
Webster's Bible Translation
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and will [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?
New English Translation
If you say, "But we did not know about this," does not the one who evaluates hearts consider? Does not the one who guards your life know? Will he not repay each person according to his deeds?
New King James Version
If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
New Living Translation
Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know." For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
New Life Bible
If you say, "See, we did not know this," does not He Who knows what is in hearts see it? Does not He Who keeps watch over your soul know it? And will He not pay each man for his work?
New Revised Standard
if you say, "Look, we did not know this"— does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it? And will he not repay all according to their deeds?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Though thou say, Lo! we knew not this, Shall not, he that proveth hearts, himself, discern? And, he that formeth thy soul, himself, know? and bring back to a son of earth according to his deed?
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall render to a man according to his works.
Revised Standard Version
If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work?
Young's Literal Translation
When thou sayest, `Lo, we knew not this.' Is not the Ponderer of hearts He who understandeth? And the Keeper of thy soul He who knoweth? And He hath rendered to man according to his work.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?

Contextual Overview

11Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. 12If you say, "Behold, we did not know about this," does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

doth not he that: Proverbs 5:21, Proverbs 21:2, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 17:3, Psalms 44:21, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Jeremiah 17:10, Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 2:23

that keepeth: 1 Samuel 2:6, 1 Samuel 25:29, Psalms 66:9, Psalms 121:3, Psalms 121:8, Daniel 5:23, Acts 17:28, Revelation 1:18

and shall: Job 34:11, Psalms 62:12, Jeremiah 32:19, Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 20:12-15, Revelation 22:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:14 - his brother Genesis 42:21 - we saw Exodus 1:17 - feared God Joshua 10:9 - all night 1 Samuel 19:4 - spake good 1 Samuel 20:32 - Wherefore 1 Samuel 22:14 - And who 2 Samuel 13:32 - determined 1 Kings 2:9 - hold him Job 29:12 - I delivered Job 31:34 - that I Job 33:26 - he will Psalms 33:15 - considereth Psalms 82:4 - Deliver Proverbs 16:2 - but Proverbs 31:8 - Open Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Jeremiah 21:12 - deliver Jeremiah 22:16 - judged Jeremiah 38:9 - these Matthew 24:39 - General Luke 10:31 - he passed Acts 16:28 - cried Acts 28:2 - showed

Cross-References

Genesis 15:1
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
Genesis 24:7
The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father's house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land'-He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.
Genesis 24:8
And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there."
Genesis 24:10
Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor's hometown in Mesopotamia.
Genesis 24:11
As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town, at the time when the women went out to draw water.
Genesis 24:16
Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.
Genesis 24:17
So the servant ran to meet her and said, "Please let me have a little water from your jar."
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 kinsmen."
Genesis 24:42
So when I came to the spring today, I prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success!
Genesis 24:48
Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not,.... The danger the person was in; or the innocency of his cause; or what method to take to deliver him; or that it was in our power to do anything for him; so the Vulgate Latin version, "if thou sayest, strength is not sufficient": or "we knew him not" k, who he was or what he was; had no knowledge of him, or acquaintance with him, and so did not think ourselves under any obligation to regard his case; such excuses will not do;

doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? he that searches the heart and tries it, and weighs every thought of it, and excuse it makes, considers and understands whether it is a mere excuse or not; though such excuses may appear plausible to men, yet to God that knows the heart they are of no avail; for he knows it to be a mere shift, and that it was unwillingness to help the distressed, and a neglect of their case; and that all that is said on their own behalf is a vain pretence;

and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? he that upholds it in life, and whose visitation preserves it, and therefore should be careful of the life of another; and if not, may justly fear the Lord will withdraw his care and preservation of them; he knows perfectly well what regard a man has to the welfare of another, or to the preservation of another man's life when in danger; and whether what he says on his own behalf is well founded: or "he that observeth thy soul" l; all the inward motions of it, the thoughts, affections, purposes, and inclinations; he knows whether what is said is true or not;

and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works? and behave towards him according to the law of retaliation; the same measure he measures to others, he will measure to him again; and who having shown no mercy in saving the lives of others, when he could have done it, shall have judgment executed on him without mercy, when he is in distress.

k לא ידענו זה, ουκ οιδα τουτον, Sept. "non noverimus istum", Gejerus; "non novimus hunc", Pagninus, Montanus, Michaelis. l ונצר נפשך "et qui observat animam tuam", Michaelis, Schultens; "observator animae tuae", Tigurine version, Gejerus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As Proverbs 24:11 warned men against acquiescing in an unrighteous tyranny, so this denounces the tendency to hush up a wrong with the false plea of ignorance. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:8. Proverbs 24:10-12 thus forms a complete and connected whole.


 
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