“The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness” (Prov. 21:12 NKJV).
“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness” (KJV).
“The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin” (ASV). (All emphasis has been added.)
As these three standard translations illustrate, there are occasions in Scripture where the precise intended meaning is open to debate. This is best seen in this proverb by considering each translation’s use of the italics. (In each of these versions, the translators used an italicized font to alert their readers to the fact that they have sought to make the verse clearer in understanding by adding an English word(s) which is not found in the original Hebrew text.) A wise Bible student ought to appreciate this subtle way of alerting him to this honest attempt to make the translation read with good-er English.
When you compare the NKJV and KJV, you immediately notice that the earlier translators have man and the more recent ones used God. Both possibilities are true: (1) God knows the thoughts and deeds of the wicked (NKJV), because He is omniscient. (2) The righteous man seeking wisdom wisely (v. 11) thoughtfully considers the ways of the wicked (KJV).
Asaph wrestled strenuously when he considered the house of the wicked. In Psalm 73, he admits that it almost tripped him up (v. 2). For some time, it made him envious of the wicked (v. 3). His envy grew and grew until he “went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end” (v. 17). There he remembered their certain destruction and terrifying punishment (vv. 18-20). This realization obliterated all his envy (v. 21) and was replaced with self-reproach— “I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You” (v. 22). He concluded this weighty consideration with these words: “For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all Your works” (vv. 27-28). “How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin” (ASV), because “God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness” (KJV).
Because God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness, the righteous man ought to wisely consider the house of the wicked and learn wisdom wisely.
