Proverbs 14:12

12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell.

Proverbs 14:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man
As the way of sin and wickedness does, it promising much carnal pleasure and mirth; there is a great deal of company in it, it is a broad road, and is pleasant, and seems right, but it leads to destruction; so the way of the hypocrite and Pharisee that trusts to his own righteousness, and despises others, and even the righteousness of Christ; or however does not submit to it, but tramples upon him, and counts the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and so is deserving of sorer punishment than the profane sinner; yet on account of his good works, as he calls them, fancies himself to be in a fair way for heaven and happiness; so Popery, through the pomp and grandeur and gaudiness of worship, through the lying miracles of the priests, and the air of devotion that appears in them, seems to be a right way; but the end thereof [are] the ways of death;
which lead unto eternal death; for that is the wages of sin, let it appear in what shape it will.

Proverbs 14:12 In-Context

10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.
11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are tumbledown shacks; holy living builds soaring cathedrals.
12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell.
13 Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. Sift and Weigh Every Word
14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace.

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Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.