3:12a
This verse part is a quotation of Psalm 34:15a.
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces a reason why people should do good and seek peace. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Translate it a way that is natural to introduce a reason in your language.
the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous means “the Lord is watching the righteous.” It implies that the Lord is watching righteous people in order to take care of them.
the righteous: The phrase the righteous here refers to people who do what Peter has just talked about: who do not speak evil, who do good to their enemies, and who try to make peace.
Some other ways to translate this expression include:
The Lord sees the good people (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Lord watches those who do what is right
3:12b
This verse part is a quotation of Psalm 34:15b.
His ears are inclined to their prayer: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as His ears are inclined to their prayer means that the Lord listens to the prayers of righteous people. He not only hears them as he hears everything that everyone says, but he cares about what they say. He is attentive to their needs. Here is another way to translate this clause:
he listens to their prayers (Contemporary English Version)
3:12c
This verse part is a quotation of Psalm 34:16a. Peter did not quote Psalm 34:16b.
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil: This is the opposite of the first part of the verse. It means that the Lord does not listen to the prayers of the wicked. Instead, he opposes them. Some translation models are:
the Lord is against those who do evil (New Century Version)
-or-
he opposes everyone who does evil (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Lord confronts those who do evil (God’s Word)
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