Proverbs 20:5–9

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,

but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;

blessed are their children after them.

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,

he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am clean and without sin”?

5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,

but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;

I am clean from my sin”?

5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart,

a person with understanding will draw it out.

6 Many will say they are loyal friends,

but who can find one who is truly reliable?

7 The godly walk with integrity;

blessed are their children who follow them.

8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,

distinguishing the bad from the good.

9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;

I am pure and free from sin”?

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,

But a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,

But who can find a faithful man?

7 The righteous man walks in his integrity;

His children are blessed after him.

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment

Scatters all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,

I am pure from my sin”?

5 People’s thoughts can be like a deep well,

but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.

6 Many people claim to be loyal,

but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.

7 The good people who live honest lives

will be a blessing to their children.

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,

he knows evil when he sees it.

9 No one can say, “I am innocent;

I have never done anything wrong.”

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;

But a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness;

But a faithful man who can find?

7 A righteous man that walketh in his integrity,

Blessed are his children after him.

8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment

Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean,

I am pure from my sin?

5 Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but a faithful man who shall find?

7 The righteous walketh in his integrity: blessed are his children after him!

8 A king sitting on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

5 A motive in the human heart is like deep water, 

and a person who has understanding draws it out. 

6 Many people declare themselves loyal, 

but who can find someone who is ⸤really⸥ trustworthy? 

7 A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. 

Blessed are his children after he is gone. 

8 A king who sits on his throne to judge sifts out every evil with his eyes. 

9 Who can say, 

“I’ve made my heart pure. 

I’m cleansed from my sin”? 

5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;

but a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,

but who can find a trustworthy man?

7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous;

his children who come after him will be happy.

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge

sifts out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin”?

5 The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,

but the intelligent will draw them out.

6 Many proclaim themselves loyal,

but who can find one worthy of trust?

7 The righteous walk in integrity—

happy are the children who follow them!

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean;

I am pure from my sin”?

5 Deep waters are like purpose in the heart of a man,

and a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Many a person will proclaim his loyalty for himself,

but a man who is trustworthy, who can find?

7 He who walks in his integrity is righteous;

happy are his children who follow him.

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who will say “I have made my heart clean;

I am pure from my sin”?

5 The purposes of a man’s heart are like deep water.

But a man who has understanding brings them out.

6 Many claim to have love that never fails.

But who can find a faithful man?

7 Anyone who does what is right lives without blame.

Blessed are his children after him.

8 A king sits on his throne to judge.

He gets rid of all evil when he sees it.

9 No one can say, “I have kept my heart pure.

I’m clean. I haven’t sinned.”

5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,

But a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,

But who can find a trustworthy man?

7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity—

How blessed are his sons after him.

8 A king who sits on the throne of justice

Disperses all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,

I am pure from my sin”?