17 Or “incurably deceitful”; Heb “It is incurable.” For the word “deceitful” compare the usage of the verb in Gen 27:36 and a related noun in 2 Kgs 10:19. For the adjective “incurable” compare the usage in Jer 15:18. It is most commonly used with reference to wounds or of pain. In Jer 17:16 it is used metaphorically for a “woeful day” (i.e., day of irreparable devastation). The background for this verse is Deut 29:18–19 (29:17–18 ) and Deut 30:17.
18 The term rendered “mind” here and in the previous verse is actually the Hebrew word for “heart.” However, in combination with the word rendered “heart” in the next line, which is the Hebrew for “kidneys,” it is best rendered “mind” because the “heart” was considered the center of intellect, conscience, and will and the “kidneys” the center of emotions. For an earlier reference to this motif see Jer 11:20. For a later reference see Jer 20:12. See also Ps 17:2–3.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately sick;

who can understand it?

“I the Lord search the heart

and test the mind,

to give every man according to his ways,

according to the fruit of his deeds.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The heart is deceitful above all things

and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?

“I the Lord search the heart

and examine the mind,

to reward each person according to their conduct,

according to what their deeds deserve.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The heart is more deceitful than anything else,

and incurable—who can understand it?

I, the Lord, examine the mind,

I test the heart

to give to each according to his way,

according to what his actions deserve.

NLTNew Living Translation

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,

and desperately wicked.

Who really knows how bad it is?

But I, the Lord, search all hearts

and examine secret motives.

I give all people their due rewards,

according to what their actions deserve.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

The heart is deceitful more than anything else,

and it is disastrous. Who can understand it?

I, Yahweh, examine the mind,

I test the heart,

and give to each one according to his way,

according to the fruit of his deeds.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

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Jeremiah 17:9–10

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Footnotes