Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.Proverbs 12:20 Explainer In Plain Language - Some people hide lies and plans for harm in their hearts, but those who give wise advice that leads to peace bring joy. Big idea - Secret plans to hurt cause trouble; counsel that promotes peace brings gladness and blessing. Key points - Deceit begins inside — the heart is where harmful intentions are formed. - Evil plots and peace-making are opposites with opposite results: misery vs. joy. - People who counsel peace are a source of joy for others and for the community. Context Where this verse fits in - Proverbs is a book of practical wisdom made up of short, memorable sayings. Chapter 12 contrasts the behavior and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked; this verse is one of those contrasts, pairing inner motive (deceit) with outward effect (counsel that brings peace). Story timeline - Proverbs was written in Israel’s wisdom-literary tradition (likely compiled over centuries, reaching a final form in the monarchic/post-monarchic period). Its audience is general: leaders, parents, young people — anyone wanting guidance for daily life. The “speaker” is the wisdom tradition (often framed as Solomon’s wise teaching). Surrounding passage - Proverbs 12:19 (before): Truthful speech lasts; lies are short-lived. The book contrasts reliable, life-giving speech with destructive falsehood. - Proverbs 12:20 (this verse): Deceit in the wicked’s heart vs. joy for those who advise peace. - Proverbs 12:21 (after): The righteous will not be overcome by evil, while the wicked accumulate trouble. The flow stresses that inner character (truth, lack of deceit, peacemaking) shapes outcomes. Explanation Quick take - This proverb warns that harmful intentions and secret lies lead to trouble, while those who promote peace — through honest, wise counsel — create joy for others. It encourages inward integrity and outward peacemaking. In Depth - “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”: In the Bible’s moral view, wrongdoing often starts in the inner life — in thoughts, plans, and intentions. “Deceit” points to an orientation of dishonesty and betrayal that is cultivated inside: secret scheming, falsehood, and malicious intent. To “imagine evil” communicates active planning or devising harm, not just a passing thought. - “But to the counsellors of peace is joy”: In contrast, people who offer counsel, advice, or decisions that aim to create peace are sources of joy and harmony. The phrase can cover peacemakers, mediators, wise advisors, and leaders who favor reconciliation and stability over conflict. Their influence produces gladness — both the joy of receiving peace and the community’s flourishing under peaceful leadership. - Tension and balance: This proverb places the ethical emphasis on motive and outcome. It’s not merely condemning a single lie, but a pattern: hearts set on deceit lead to harm; hearts and speech turned toward peace lead to joy. Proverbs often compress moral cause-and-effect into one sharp saying: inner life matters, and so does the way we shape relationships through speech and counsel. - Social dimension: In small ancient communities, counsel and reputation mattered for the common good. A counselor who stirs conflict damages relationships and the social fabric. A counselor who crafts peace repairs and strengthens it. The proverb is practical—advice about what kind of people to follow and what kind of counsel to give. Key Words - Mirmah (מִרְמָה) — deceit, treachery, a deliberate twisting of truth or unfaithfulness. - Lev (לֵב) — heart, inner life; the place of thought, intention, and moral decision. - Ḥašav/ḥashavah (חָשַׁב / חֲשָׁבוֹת) — to think, plan, imagine; here with negative content: devising evil. - Atzat shalom (עֲצַת שָׁלוֹם) — “counsel of peace” or “counsellors of peace”; advice or planning aimed at peace, reconciliation, and stability. Background - Wisdom literature: Proverbs aims to teach right living by drawing clear contrasts: wise vs. foolish, righteous vs. wicked. Short, memorable lines like this were practical guides for living in family, market, and court. - Honor-shame culture and communal stability: In ancient Near Eastern communities, speech (advice, accusations, promises) had social weight. Secret plots could destabilize families, business relationships, and political situations. Peace-making was therefore socially valuable and deeply desired. - Peacemaking as a leadership quality: Leaders or elders who could counsel peace preserved order; those who stirred conflict invited loss and sorrow. The proverb highlights moral leadership — not mere politeness, but the integrity and aims behind words. Theology - Inner moral life matters: God’s wisdom tradition cares about what’s in the heart, not just outward behavior. - Peace is a fruit of righteousness: Those who promote peace reflect God's ordering of relationships and community. - Speech and counsel carry moral weight: Words and advice are not neutral — they build or break relationships and have spiritual significance. Application To Your Life For different audiences - For workers/colleagues: Don’t participate in gossip or secret plans that undermine coworkers. Offer solutions that restore cooperation and reduce conflict. - For parents: Model inner honesty. Teach children that planning to harm others is wrong and show them practical ways to seek peace when conflicts arise. - For leaders/managers: Guard your counsel. Encourage policies and conversations that resolve conflicts fairly; your decisions shape workplace morale. - For friends/in relationships: Before you “imagine” or repeat negative things about someone, pause. Ask whether your words promote reconciliation or escalate tension. - For seekers/new believers: The proverb points you to two practical habits: examine motives (what’s in your heart?) and practice peacemaking (actively seek ways to restore relationships). Reflection question(s) - Where in my life am I tempted to hide motives or plan harm instead of being honest? - Who around me needs a voice that aims for peace rather than stirring conflict? - What practical step can I take this week to be a “counsellor of peace”? Short prayer - Lord, search my heart and remove any deceitful thoughts; make me a person whose words and advice promote peace and bring joy. Translation Comparison - KJV: “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.” - NIV: “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.” - ESV: “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” - NRSV: “Deceit is in the mind of those who plot evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” - Note on differences: Translators vary on verbs: “imagine,” “plot,” “devise,” or “plan.” These choices shift emphasis slightly — from mere thought (“imagine”) to active scheming (“plot” or “devise”). The second half is more consistent: counsel or planning that aims at peace leads to joy. How translators render “peace” and “counsel” can influence whether readers think of casual peacemaking, formal mediation, or wise policy-making. The core contrast — harmful inner plotting vs. peace-focused counsel — stands across translations. FAQs Q: Is this verse saying some people are born deceitful or that deceit comes from social influence? - Short answer: The proverb focuses on the heart as the source of deceitful action, not on inborn destiny. It’s describing a moral reality: harmful behavior often starts with inner intentions and repeated choices. Proverbs teaches that patterns of thought (habitual scheming, justification of harming others) form a character prone to deceit. Social influences (peers, culture, leadership) can push people toward deceit or honesty, so both internal choices and external pressures matter. The good news in the wisdom tradition is that hearts can change — by habit, accountability, teaching, and (for faith communities) the renewing work of God. Practically, examining motivations, confessing hidden plans, and intentionally practicing honesty and peacemaking help change the heart’s direction. Q: Who are “counsellors of peace” today — how can I be one? - Short answer: “Counsellors of peace” are anyone who gives advice, leads, or acts in ways that promote reconciliation, fairness, and calm. Today that can be a mediator, a pastor, a manager, a parent, a friend, or any person who helps others resolve conflict. To be one: listen well, refuse to gossip, seek fair solutions, prioritize relationships over “winning,” and encourage honest, humble conversation. Practically: offer to facilitate difficult talks, point people to common ground, acknowledge your own role in conflict, and propose concrete steps toward repair. Small actions — refusing to retell a rumor, apologizing when wrong, bringing people together for honest conversation — are everyday ways to “counsel peace.” Cross References - Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Peacemakers are honored in Jesus’ teaching.) - James 3:17–18 — “The wisdom from above is… peaceable. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (Peacemaking is a sign of godly wisdom.) - Psalm 34:14 — “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Actively pursue peace as a way of life.) - Proverbs 12:19 — “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” (Speech and truth shape long-term outcomes.) - Proverbs 11:9 — “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.” (Speech and intent affect others’ wellbeing.) Deeper Study Commentary synthesis (high-level) - Biblical commentators generally read this proverb as a moral contrast between the inner disposition of the wicked and the practical blessing of those who pursue peace. They note the importance Proverbs places on the heart (where motives form) and on speech and counsel (how motives affect relationships). Many explain “counsellors of peace” broadly — from private individuals who help reconcile arguments to public leaders who make policies that reduce strife. The proverb is practical and concise; commentators often link it to other wisdom material that values truth and peacemaking and condemns deception and strife. Group study bullets - Read Proverbs 12:19–21 aloud and identify the contrasts the passage makes. Where do you see patterns similar to your community? - Share an example (no names) of when secret scheming caused harm. What could have changed the outcome? - Role-play: one person practices giving advice that escalates conflict; another practices counsel that leads to peace. Debrief what behaviors and words made the difference. - Make a short “peacemaking checklist” for your group: listening steps, apology steps, and concrete actions to restore trust. Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Proverbs 12:19 — Truthful lips vs. lying tongue: compares the durability of truth to the temporary success of lies. Why: both verses show speech/heart producing long-term consequences. - Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers”: compares biblical blessing on actively making peace with Proverbs’ claim that peacemakers bring joy. Why: connects Old Testament wisdom to Jesus’ teaching. - James 3:18 — “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”: compares peacemaking with the fruit of righteous living. Why: affirms peacemaking as a spiritual fruit and practical wisdom. Talk to the Bible Try asking the “Talk To The Bible” feature to dig deeper. Suggested prompts: - “Show me other proverbs that contrast deceit and peace, and summarize them.” - “Give 5 practical ways to be a ‘counsellor of peace’ in my workplace, with script examples.” - “Create a short 5-minute talk on Proverbs 12:20 for a small group that includes a main point, an illustration, and an application.”
