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Proverbs 20:6-12 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 20:6-12 NIV (New International Version)

Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both. Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.

Proverbs 20:6-12 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

Proverbs 20:6-12 NLT (New Living Translation)

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? False weights and unequal measures— the LORD detests double standards of every kind. Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the LORD.

Proverbs 20:6-12 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy person?  A righteous person acts with integrity;  his children who come after him will be happy.  A king sitting on a throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.  Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?  Differing weights and varying measures   — both are detestable to the  LORD.  Even a young man is known by his actions — by whether his behavior is pure and upright.  The hearing ear and the seeing eye — the LORD made them both.

Proverbs 20:6-12 KJV (King James Version)

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: But a faithful man who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity: His children are blessed after him. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Divers weights, and divers measures, Both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, The LORD hath made even both of them.

Proverbs 20:6-12 NKJV (New King James Version)

Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”? Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.

Proverbs 20:6-12 MSG (The Message)

Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one? God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children. Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap, For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest? Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things GOD hates. Young people eventually reveal by their actions if their motives are on the up and up. Ears that hear and eyes that see— we get our basic equipment from GOD!

Proverbs 20:6-12 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy person? A righteous person who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him. A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”? Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD. It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.

Proverbs 20:6-12 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs— How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow]. A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled]. Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” [1 Kin 8:46; 2 Chr 6:36; Job 9:30; 14:4; Ps 51:5; 1 John 1:8] Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures, Both of them are detestable and offensive to the LORD. [Deut 25:13; Mic 6:10, 11] Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts, Whether his conduct is pure and right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The [omnipotent] LORD has made both of them.

Proverbs 20:6-12 NET (New English Translation)

Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person – who can find? The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”? Diverse weights and diverse measures – the LORD abhors both of them. Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. The ear that hears and the eye that sees – the LORD has made them both.