I Peter 3:12
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For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ground of the promised present and eternal life of blessedness to the meek (Pe1 3:10). The Lord's eyes are ever over them for good. ears . . . unto their prayers-- (Jo1 5:14-15). face . . . against--The eyes imply favorable regard; the face of the Lord upon (not as English Version, "against") them that do evil, implies that He narrowly observes them, so as not to let them really and lastingly hurt His people (compare Pe1 3:13).
Open source ↗Wherein the apostle describes the duties of husbands and wives one to another, beginning with the duty of the wife (Pe1 3:1-7). He exhorts Christians to unity, love, compassion, peace, and patience under sufferings; to oppose the slanders of their enemies, not by returning evil for evil, or railing for railing, but by blessing; by a ready account of their faith and hope, and by keeping a good conscience (Pe1 3:8-17). To encourage them to this, he proposes the example of Christ, who suffered, the just for the unjust, but yet punished the old world for their disobedience, and saved the few who were faithful in the days of Noah (Pe1 3:18 to the end).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.
And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
It is a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning to the end of the year.