Proverbs 20:5
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
- KJV
- Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- WEB
- Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- ASV
- Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
- DARBY
- Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.
- BLB
- Counsel in the heart of man [is] deep waters, and a man of understanding will draw it out.
- ÅB
- Tankene i en manns hjerte er et dypt vann, men en forstandig mann drar det opp.
- OTB
- Planene i en persons hjerte er som dype vann, men en med forståelse drar dem ut.
- B1930
- Tankene i en manns hjerte er et dypt vann, men en forstandig mann drar det op.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Read in context1 Corinthians 2:11
For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Read in contextPsalms 64:6
They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.
Read in context