1 Peter 3:12
What does 1 Peter 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:12 means
God is not indifferent. His eyes are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers. This assurance anchors the call to bless, restrain speech, do good, and pursue peace. At the same time, “the face of the Lord” is against those who do evil—He opposes and will judge them. Knowing that God sees and hears strengthens weary believers and curbs the impulse to take vengeance. Prayer becomes the refuge of the righteous; divine attention is their safeguard. This verse teaches that our conduct matters to God and that His moral governance over the world is real. Therefore, trust Him, continue in good, and leave retribution to His just hand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because the eyes of the Lord <FI>are<Fi> upon the righteous, and His ears--to their supplication, and the face of the Lord <FI>is<Fi> upon those doing evil;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890because [the] eyes of [the] Lord [are] on [the] righteous, and his ears towards their supplications; but [the] face of [the] Lord [is] against them that do evil.
Context
This completes the Scripture citation supporting the ethic of non-retaliation (verses 10–12). With God’s attentive favor promised to the righteous and His opposition against evildoers stated plainly, Peter is ready to ask in verse 13 who can truly harm those zealous for good. The next section (verses 13–17) will address the reality that some still suffer for righteousness and will instruct believers to consecrate Christ as Lord, fear God rather than people, and maintain a gentle, respectful witness grounded in a clear conscience.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 17:10
And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that eateth any manner of blood, I will set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
- Ezekiel 15:7
And I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the fire, but the fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I set my face against them.
- James 5:16
Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.
- Leviticus 26:17
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be smitten before your enemies: they that hate you shall rule over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
- Deuteronomy 11:12
a land which Jehovah thy God careth for: the eyes of Jehovah thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
- Psalms 80:16
It is burned with fire, it is cut down: They perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
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