Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 12:6

ESV The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
NIV The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
NASB The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood, But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
CSB The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
NLT The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
KJV The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
NKJV The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

What does Proverbs 12:6 mean?

The wicked try to deceive people so they can perpetrate violence against them (Proverbs 1:10–13). The righteous, however, offer guidance designed to rescue those who would otherwise be deceived.

When the scribes and chief priests wanted to arrest Jesus, they sent spies. These men pretended to be sincere about hearing Jesus' teaching, but they wanted to catch Him in something He said (Luke 20:19–20). The spies questioned Jesus and complimented Him on His teaching, but Jesus knew they were crafty, and their words were insincere (Luke 20:23). Luke reports that Jesus' wise answer spoiled their attempt (Luke 20:26). Instead, they were amazed at His answer and became silent.

Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), uses his emissaries to spew twisted words to deceive people, but Jesus uses messengers of the gospel to rescue people by speaking the truth. Second Corinthians 4:1–6 reveals a battle between Satan and the messengers of the gospel for the minds of sinners.
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