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Proverbs 17:3–4

pThe crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

qand the Lord tests hearts.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

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Proverbs 17:3–4 — The New International Version (NIV)

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

but the Lord tests the heart.

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold:

But the Lord trieth the hearts.

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — New Living Translation (NLT)

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but the Lord tests the heart.

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;

liars pay close attention to slander.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,

But the Lord tests the hearts.

An evildoer gives heed to false lips;

A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — New Century Version (NCV)

A hot furnace tests silver and gold,

but the Lord tests hearts.

Evil people listen to evil words.

Liars pay attention to cruel words.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — American Standard Version (ASV)

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;

But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, 

but the one who purifies hearts ⸤by fire⸥ is the Lord

An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. 

A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue. 

Proverbs 17:3–4 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,

and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

A wicked person listens to malicious talk;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

but the Lord tests the heart.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips;

and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

A crucible is for the silver, and a furnace is for the gold,

but Yahweh will test hearts.

He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness,

and the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

Fire tests silver. Heat tests gold.

But the Lord tests our hearts.

An evil person listens to evil words.

A liar pays attention to words that are harmful.

Proverbs 17:3–4 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,

But the Lord tests hearts.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips;

A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.


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