Proverbs 12:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

NIV: The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

NASB: The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

CSB: A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

NLT: The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

KJV: The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

NKJV: The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Solomon asserts that those who pursue godliness and truth (Proverbs 1:7) can provide genuine help for others. Those who are selfish and ungodly will draw people in the wrong direction. A consistent theme of the book of Proverbs is that godly wisdom is a means to life and success (Proverbs 3:9–12), while rejecting God leads to disaster (Proverbs 10:27; 11:7).

In a world that is morally and spiritually dark, people are easily led astray. Often, modern media portrays sin as glamorous and appealing. The gullible are easily enticed to engage in sinful practices (Proverbs 9:13). However, believers have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to lead them away from sin and into the paths of righteousness (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Paul exhorted believers to let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27) and to "do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14–15). By leading a righteous life, believers provide light in a dark world. The light illumines the way to Christ and a righteous life for others to follow.

Proverbs 12 contains a series of contrasts between lifestyles, comparing those who honor God to those who reject His wisdom. The results of those decisions are also compared. This repeats several common themes from the book of Proverbs, such as the self-destructive nature of sin and God's distaste for those who lie.

Proverbs 12 continues Solomon's wise sayings. A large portion of the book of Proverbs includes these short, common sense pieces of advice. After a series of introductions and lessons in chapters 1—9, chapter 10 began a long list of individual statements. In this chapter he continues to contrast the righteous and the wicked, showing that the life of the righteous is far better than the life of the wicked. This pattern will continue, covering the same basic theme, through chapter 15.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.