The Nugget:
Pro 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. (KJV)
Pro 12:22 An abomination to Jehovah are lying lips, And stedfast doers are his delight. (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)
Pro 12:22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)
Pro 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. (WEB, World English Bible)
Pro 12:22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the LORD, but honest people are his delight. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Pro 12:22 The LORD hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
Starting at this verse (Proverbs 12:22), it is possible to greatly increase our understanding of the nature of God.
In part, this can be done by comparing several English translations. But this is only a start to uncovering some of the treasures in God’s Word, the Bible, that are topically connected with this verse.
My focus here will be in what the Bible tells us about what God delights in. This can readily be explored by studying the cross references given for the final key words his delight:
his delight. *Pro 11:1; *Pro 11:20; *Pro 15:8, *Jer 9:24.
To study this theme accurately it is best to use a more literal translation such as the King James Version. A more literal translation will consistently use the term “delight.” Other translations in modern English may be more understandable, but because they are not always consistent in the way they translate the original language, tracking a theme across Scripture is more difficult using them.
Once you have read the four references given for his delight it is possible to greatly expand this study by checking the cross references given at each of those four verses. I share these four verses below. I use multiple English translations when the King James Version wording may not be clear to modern readers.
Proverbs 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
King James Version
Proverbs 11:20
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
King James Version
Proverbs 11:20
20 Devious people are disgusting to the LORD, but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent.
GOD’S WORD
Proverbs 11:20
20 The LORD hates sneaky people, but he likes everyone who lives right. Contemporary English Version
Pro 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Proverbs 15:8
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
King James Version
Proverbs 15:8
8 A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but the prayers of decent people please him.
GOD’S WORD
Proverbs 15:8
8 The LORD is disgusted by gifts from the wicked, but it makes him happy when his people pray.
Contemporary English Version
Jeremiah 9:24
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.
King James Version
These five passages provide a very helpful basis for studying what delights the Lord. In summary fashion we see that the Lord delights in (1) honest business practices–fair weights and measures; (2) everyone who lives right; (3) those who deal truly with others; (4) the prayers of His people; (5) our understanding God’s true character in showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone.