Proverbs 29:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

NIV: If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.

NASB: If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

CSB: If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

NLT: If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.

KJV: If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

NKJV: If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.

God created everything which exists; that which is true corresponds to His creation. In the same way, that which is good corresponds to His will. Falsehoods and lies contradict both God and His creation. So, dishonesty is not merely immoral, but also undependable. A good ruler seeks truth and has no time for liars or flatterers (Proverbs 16:13; 20:6; 25:5; 29:5). When a leader tolerates deceit, liars will rise to power and eventually all his advisors will be corrupt (Proverbs 14:34; 28:16; 29:2). Rulers risk being overthrown by unscrupulous counselors or being killed by invaders if they rely on the advice of immoral men. A ruler who naively trusts lying counselors is likely to render false verdicts when his subjects come before him in civil and criminal cases.

Fortunately, Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) was a just and wise king, who rendered correct verdicts.

Someday Jesus will be king over all the earth. He will not listen to lies and false accusations. Isaiah 11:2–4 promises, "The Spirit of the Lᴏʀᴅ shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lᴏʀᴅ…with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth."

Proverbs 29:12–27 completes the collection of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25:21). This passage discusses various relationships. Common themes are interactions with government leaders, parental discipline, and authority figures. Solomon also makes comments about pride and the inherent conflict between righteousness and evil.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

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.