Proverbs 12:22
New International Version
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

New Living Translation
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

English Standard Version
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Berean Standard Bible
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

King James Bible
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

New King James Version
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

New American Standard Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

NASB 1995
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

NASB 1977
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Legacy Standard Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, But doers of faithfulness are His delight.

Amplified Bible
Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Christian Standard Bible
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but faithful people are his delight.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but faithful people are His delight.

American Standard Version
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted.

English Revised Version
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Lips that lie are disgusting to the LORD, but honest people are his delight.

Good News Translation
The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

International Standard Version
Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Majority Standard Bible
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

NET Bible
The LORD abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

New Heart English Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.

Webster's Bible Translation
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

World English Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Lying lips [are] an abomination to YHWH, "" And steadfast doers [are] his delight.

Young's Literal Translation
An abomination to Jehovah are lying lips, And stedfast doers are his delight.

Smith's Literal Translation
Lips of falsehood an abomination of Jehovah: and they doing faithfulness his delight.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully please him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.

New American Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who are truthful, his delight.

New Revised Standard Version
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; but those who deal truly are his delight.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH despises false lips and he delights in those who practice faith.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; But they that deal truly are His delight.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.…

Cross References
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

James 3:14
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

1 John 2:4
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Psalm 5:6
You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Psalm 101:7
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence.

Psalm 119:163
I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...


Treasury of Scripture

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

lying

Proverbs 6:16,17
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: …

Psalm 5:6
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Isaiah 9:15
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

but

Proverbs 11:1,20
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight…

Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

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Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














Lying lips
The phrase "lying lips" refers to the act of speaking falsehoods or deceit. In the Hebrew text, the word for "lying" is "שֶׁקֶר" (sheqer), which denotes falsehood, deception, or fraud. Throughout the Bible, lying is consistently condemned as it goes against the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6). In ancient Israel, truthfulness was a cornerstone of community life, essential for justice and trust. The lips, as instruments of speech, are meant to convey truth and wisdom, reflecting the heart's condition (Matthew 12:34). Thus, "lying lips" are not just a personal failing but a disruption to the divine order and community harmony.

are detestable
The word "detestable" in Hebrew is "תּוֹעֲבָה" (to'evah), often translated as "abomination." This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe actions that are morally repugnant to God. It conveys a strong sense of divine disapproval and rejection. In the context of Proverbs, which is a book of wisdom literature, this term underscores the severity of lying as a moral failing. It is not merely a social faux pas but an affront to God's holiness and righteousness. The use of such a strong term indicates that lying is not a trivial matter but something that deeply offends the Creator.

to the LORD
The phrase "to the LORD" emphasizes that the ultimate standard of truth and morality is God Himself. The Hebrew name for God here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal, self-existent nature. This highlights that lying is not just a sin against other people but a sin against God. It is a violation of the relationship between the individual and the divine. In the biblical worldview, all actions are ultimately accountable to God, and His perspective is the one that truly matters. This phrase reminds believers that their lives are lived coram Deo, before the face of God, and that His standards are the ones they must strive to meet.

but those who deal faithfully
The contrast here is with "those who deal faithfully," which in Hebrew is "עֹשֵׂי אֱמוּנָה" (osei emunah). The word "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah) is often translated as "faithfulness" or "trustworthiness." It conveys a sense of reliability, steadfastness, and integrity. In the biblical context, faithfulness is a key attribute of God's character (Deuteronomy 7:9), and His people are called to reflect this attribute in their dealings with others. To "deal faithfully" means to act with honesty and integrity, upholding truth in all interactions. This is not just about avoiding lies but actively embodying truth and reliability in one's character and actions.

are His delight
The phrase "are His delight" indicates that God takes pleasure in those who live with integrity and truthfulness. The Hebrew word for "delight" is "רָצוֹן" (ratzon), which can also mean favor or acceptance. This suggests that God not only approves of but also finds joy in those who reflect His character through their faithfulness. In a world where deceit and falsehood are often prevalent, those who choose to live by God's standards stand out and bring joy to the heart of God. This phrase serves as an encouragement to believers, reminding them that their efforts to live truthfully are not in vain but are noticed and cherished by their Creator.

Verse 22. - (Comp. Proverbs 6:17; Proverbs 11:20.) They that deal truly; Septuagint, ὁ δὲ ποιῶν πίστεις, "he who acts in good faith."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Lying
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

lips
שִׂפְתֵי־ (śip̄·ṯê-)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

are detestable
תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

to the LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

but those who deal
וְעֹשֵׂ֖י (wə·‘ō·śê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

faithfully
אֱמוּנָ֣ה (’ĕ·mū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

are His delight.
רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃ (rə·ṣō·w·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7522: Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:21
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